In a bold move that has sparked significant controversy, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have issued a scathing critique of the United States' recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicols Maduro, demanding his and his wife's return to power despite their facing criminal charges on American soil.
According to Fox News, the DSA, the largest socialist organization in the country, with connections to prominent left-wing figures like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, condemned the U.S. military operation as an "illegal war" initiated by the Trump administration.
"The Trump Administration has started an illegal war against Venezuela," the DSA declared in a statement. They accused the U.S. of pursuing an "imperialist war" aimed at installing a puppet government to exploit Venezuela's oil resources and extend American dominance over Latin America, dubbing it the "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine.
President Donald Trump confirmed the success of the military operation, which resulted in the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on extensive narcotics charges. The operation was executed without any casualties or damage to U.S. military assets. Maduro, who has held power since 2013, is alleged to have collaborated with drug cartels and gangs across South America and Mexico to smuggle vast quantities of cocaine into the United States.
Trump, during his campaign, had pledged to tackle the influx of illegal drugs into the country, a promise he pursued by imposing tariffs on countries like China over fentanyl and conducting maritime operations against suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers.
The DSA, however, dismissed the administration's justification, asserting, "Trumps war has nothing to do with drug trafficking." They argued, "There is no substantiated evidence that high-level members of the Venezuelan government are 'narco-terrorists,'" and accused the Trump administration of using these claims as a pretext for an unlawful war.
The DSA likened the situation to the "failed war against Iraq," suggesting it was another attempt at regime change to seize a nation's oil and suppress resistance to U.S. imperialism, warning that it would only impoverish Latin American people.
Over the weekend, Trump hailed the operation as a significant triumph, praising the military's execution and the swift capture of Maduro and his wife. "The United States military is the strongest and most fearsome military on the planet. By far. With capabilities and skills our enemies can scarcely begin to imagine. We have the best equipment anywhere in the world," Trump stated during a press conference.
The DSA enjoys backing from several left-wing politicians, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a longtime member who recently ascended to the mayoralty. Other notable figures, such as New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, have also received the group's endorsement in past elections.
In response to Maduro's capture, the DSA issued seven demands, including the return of Maduro and his wife to Venezuela, an end to the "failed 'war on drugs,'" and the withdrawal of all military presence from the Caribbean, along with ceasing interventionist operations by SOUTHCOM.
Currently, Maduro and his wife are detained at the federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, with Maduro's arraignment scheduled for Monday afternoon. The DSA urged Americans to "protest and resist this illegal war and to stand in solidarity with the sovereign people of Venezuela."
Mayor Mamdani, among other left-wing leaders, has vocally opposed the U.S. operation in Venezuela. He revealed that he personally contacted President Trump to express his disapproval, stating, "I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act and to make clear that it was an opposition based on being opposed to a pursuit of regime change, to the violation of federal international law and a desire to see that be consistent each and every day."
Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Mamdani's office for comment on whether he supports the DSA's condemnation of the operation and its demands, but did not receive an immediate response. Meanwhile, some moderate Democrats have criticized the strike as unjustified, particularly for bypassing congressional notification, while Republicans have largely supported the action.
Senator Tom Cotton, R-Ark., took to social media to emphasize the legitimacy of the operation, stating, "Nicolas Maduro wasnt just an illegitimate dictator; he also ran a vast drug-trafficking operation. Thats why he was indicted in U.S. court nearly six years ago for drug trafficking and narco-terrorism."
He further commended President Trump and the military for the operation, confirming that Maduro is now in U.S. custody and will face justice for his alleged crimes.
Login