A government supporter holds a Super Bigote figurine during a protest demanding the release of President Nicolas Maduro, captured by US troops, in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, January 4.
Ariana Cubillos/AP
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Ariana Cubillos/AP
Rep. Adam Smith, a Washington Democrat, says the Trump administration's plans for Venezuela after incumbent President Nicolas Maduro is removed from power are “unclear.”
Smith, the top Democrat serving on the House Armed Services Committee, attended the briefing on Monday with administration officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Cain.
In an interview with Morning EditionSmith said congressional leaders learned more about how the operation was conducted, but much of the briefing focused on Venezuela's long-term strategy.
“There was a lot of talk about how to avoid chaos after Maduro leaves, vague conversations about how the administration is working with the current president of Venezuela. [Delcy] Rodriguez, but without any details,” Smith said.
He added that the economic chaos facing Venezuela “risks turning into armed gangs fighting each other in a chaotic situation. This certainly does not improve the very problems that Maduro's takeover was supposed to solve.”
In a conversation with NPR's Leila Fadel, Smith discussed the legality of the operation to oust Maduro from Venezuela and concerns about ongoing U.S. involvement in the South American country.
Listen to the full interview by clicking the blue play button above.
Web copy was written by Obed Manuel and edited by Trey Green.
