A recent U.S. military raid in Venezuela has left dozens of people dead and has started a strong debate in the United States about the president’s power to order military action.
The raid took place in early January 2026 in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. U.S. forces carried out a sudden operation targeting sites linked to the Venezuelan government. During the raid, heavy fighting broke out between U.S. troops and Venezuelan security forces.
According to officials, many Venezuelan security officers were killed, along with some civilians. The United States said that no American soldiers were killed, though a few were injured. The exact number of deaths is still being confirmed.
Venezuela’s government strongly criticised the operation and called it a violation of its sovereignty. Officials in Caracas said the attack caused serious damage and loss of life. Several countries around the world also expressed concern over the situation and urged calm.
After the raid, attention quickly shifted to Washington, where lawmakers questioned how the military action was approved. Members of the U.S. Senate said they were not fully informed before the operation took place.
As a result, the Senate moved forward with a proposal to limit the president’s war powers. The resolution would require the president to get approval from Congress before launching any further military action against Venezuela.
The proposal received support from lawmakers of both major political parties. Senators backing the move said the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the authority to decide when the country goes to war. They said this step is needed to protect that role.
However, some leaders in the U.S. government defended the raid. They said the operation was necessary for national security and did not amount to a full-scale war.
The resolution is still being discussed and has not yet become law. If approved, it could change how future U.S. military actions are carried out.
The situation in Venezuela remains tense, and diplomatic talks are expected in the coming days.