Senator Mullin: U.S. Move on Venezuela’s Maduro Signals Western Hemisphere Resolve

On Monday, Senator Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., stated that the legal basis for U.S. actions targeting Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro is clear and underscores America’s resolve in the Western Hemisphere.

In an appearance, Mullin emphasized that critics who claim such action is unprecedented are overlooking established precedent: when a foreign leader poses a direct threat to the United States, the commander in chief has broad authority to act.

“You can bill this to Osama bin Laden or any other dictator that we’ve had to remove because of the threat directly to the United States,” he said. “The fact is that the president has the ability to do so.”

Mullin noted that the legal case against Maduro is likely to be “very clear,” citing earlier U.S. actions against indicted foreign leaders and arguing that key elements, including prior indictments and national security justifications, align with well-established legal frameworks.

“This administration under President Trump’s leadership is looking at our hemisphere right now,” he added. “We have a lot of bad actors operating in our backyard.”

He warned that the United States cannot afford to be passive as criminal networks and rivals gain influence across Latin America, citing Cuba’s proximity and China’s growing presence in Central and South America.

“You see what’s happening in Mexico by the employers in our streets,” he said, linking cross-border crime and instability to threats against American communities. “This is a good warning to the rest of the countries: you’re operating in our backyard, and we’re going to protect our backyard.”