1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to express serious concern about recent statements from the White House chief of staff suggesting that US military boat strikes have an underlying objective of toppling Venezuelan President Maduro's government. This represents a dangerous escalation that threatens regional stability and violates international law. Military intervention in Venezuela would be catastrophic for both nations. Any armed conflict would result in civilian casualties, create a massive refugee crisis affecting neighboring countries, and destabilize an already fragile region. The United States has no authorization from Congress for military action against Venezuela, and such intervention would violate the UN Charter's prohibition on the use of force against sovereign nations. History demonstrates that regime change operations rarely achieve their stated goals and often create power vacuums that lead to prolonged instability. Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan serve as recent examples where military intervention resulted in years of chaos, humanitarian disasters, and enormous costs in both lives and taxpayer dollars. Venezuela's situation requires diplomatic solutions, not military force. The Venezuelan people deserve the right to determine their own political future without foreign military interference. While concerns about governance in Venezuela are legitimate, unilateral military action undermines international norms and sets a dangerous precedent. Regional organizations like the Organization of American States and diplomatic channels provide appropriate venues for addressing these concerns. I urge you to publicly oppose any military action against Venezuela and to demand that the administration pursue diplomatic solutions instead. Congress must assert its constitutional authority over matters of war and make clear that unauthorized military operations will not be tolerated. Please use your position to prevent this reckless escalation and protect both American interests and international stability.