1. United States
2. Ore.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to publicly condemn the unauthorized military strikes President Trump ordered on Venezuela and to demand immediate congressional oversight of these actions. On the night of the strikes, US forces targeted military installations in Caracas, including La Carlota military airfield and Fuerte Tiuna military base, causing massive explosions that eyewitnesses described as "stronger than thunder." Journalist Vanessa Silva reported seeing explosions from her window, stating "My heart was pumping and legs were shaking." Several communities lost power following the attacks. These strikes represent a dangerous escalation that bypassed congressional authorization required under the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution. Since September 2, the administration has conducted 30 strikes killing 110 people, initially targeting speed boats in Venezuelan waters and the Caribbean. The administration confiscated two sanctioned oil tankers and conducted what Trump described as a land strike in Zulia over Christmas. This represents the biggest US military buildup in the Americas since the Cold War. Just days before these strikes, President Maduro stated in an interview with Venezuelan state TV that he was open to talks with the US on drug trafficking and oil "wherever and whenever they want." The administration chose military action over diplomatic engagement, despite Venezuela's willingness to negotiate. The timing and targets raise serious questions about the stated justification of combating drug trafficking when the strikes hit military installations in the capital city rather than drug-related infrastructure. Congress must immediately investigate whether these strikes violated international law and constitutional requirements for congressional authorization of military action. I urge you to demand full transparency from the administration regarding the legal basis for these attacks, civilian casualties, and the strategic objectives. The American people deserve accountability when our military is deployed in offensive operations that could escalate into broader conflict.