1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am extremely concerned and angry about  the recent United States military strikes on Venezuela and the capture and removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. This dramatic escalation of military force represents an astonishing use of American power with profound implications for international law, regional stability, and U.S. global leadership. President Trump has publicly stated that U.S. forces conducted large-scale strikes in Caracas and that Maduro and his wife were subsequently flown out of Venezuela. Venezuelan officials have demanded proof of life, and many world leaders and international legal scholars are already denouncing the strikes as violations of Venezuelan sovereignty and international law. This places American service members, civilians abroad, and innocent Venezuelans at grave risk while undermining global norms the United States claims to uphold. I urge you, as my Representative in Congress, to take the following positions: 1.        Call for an immediate diplomatic effort to secure the safe, unconditional release of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and to ensure their humane treatment under international standards while legal questions are addressed. 2.        Demand a formal, public apology to the international community for the use of force without prior authorization from Congress and clear justification under the U.S. Constitution and international law. 3.        Strongly condemn the use of military strikes against a sovereign nation unless the use of force has been explicitly authorized by Congress, is truly defensive in nature, or is grounded in well-established international legal principles. 4.        Support full congressional oversight of any and all military actions involving Venezuela, including hearings, classified briefings, and a clear statement of the legal basis for this operation. 5.        Demand the resignation of any and all U.S. officials—civilian or military—who planned, ordered, authorized, or carried out this operation, for their role in an unlawful act of aggression and for bypassing Congress and the American people. This crisis carries risks of broader regional conflict, serious humanitarian consequences, and long-term damage to the credibility of the United States abroad. I urge you to stand for the rule of law, restraint in the use of force, and robust congressional oversight of American military actions. Thank you for your time and consideration.