Sen. Lindsey Graham said the United States risks damaging its global credibility if its actions in Venezuela do not result in the removal of President Nicolás Maduro.
The South Carolina Republican argued that the scale of the U.S. regional military buildup and past precedents suggest the mission should end with Maduro no longer in power. Graham said he was indifferent to whether that outcome comes through regime change or lethal force, as long as Maduro is removed.
“If after all this, we still leave this guy in power, that’s the worst possible signal you can send to Russia, China, and Iran,” Graham said. He added that allowing Maduro to remain after a show of force would be a serious mistake and said he has not received clear answers about the administration’s ultimate goal.
Trump administration officials declined to say whether recent narco-strikes could expand into attacks on Venezuelan territory or develop into a broader effort to oust Maduro.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the current mission is focused on targeting terrorist infrastructure connected to narcotics trafficking. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon will not release footage of the strikes publicly but will provide it to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.
