1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about recent reports indicating that President Trump is considering military options for operations in Venezuela. This potential action, which includes discussions of strikes on land, is alarming and appears to overstep the president's constitutional authority. On Wednesday, President Trump was presented with updated military options by senior officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine. While no final decision has been made, the mere consideration of such actions without congressional approval is deeply troubling. The Constitution clearly grants Congress, not the president, the power to declare war. Any military action against Venezuela would require congressional authorization. I urge you to speak out against any unauthorized use of military force and to demand that the administration seek proper congressional approval before taking any action. The USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group has already entered U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility, joining other military assets in the region. Over the past two months, U.S. military strikes against vessels allegedly smuggling drugs from South America have resulted in at least 80 deaths. While addressing drug trafficking is important, escalating to military action against a sovereign nation is an entirely different matter that requires careful consideration and proper legal authorization. I am concerned that this sudden focus on potential military action in Venezuela may be an attempt to divert attention from other pressing domestic issues. It is crucial that our elected officials remain focused on addressing the needs of American citizens and upholding our constitutional processes. I implore you to take immediate action to prevent any unauthorized military operations in Venezuela. Please demand transparency from the administration regarding their plans and ensure that any proposed military action is subject to proper congressional oversight and approval. The lives of both American service members and Venezuelan civilians hang in the balance, and we must not allow hasty decisions to lead us into an unnecessary conflict.