No Military Intervention or Covert Subversion in Venezuela
Senator Dianne Feinstein
SF Office: (415) 393-0707
DC Office: (202) 224-3841
LA Office: (310) 914-7300
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San Diego Office: (619) 231-9712
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Senator Kamala Harris
SF Office: (415) 981-9369
DC Office: (202) 224-3553
Sacramento Office: (916) 448-2787
LA Office: (213) 894-5000
San Diego Office: (619) 239-3884
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Speaker Nancy Pelosi
SF Office: (415) 556-4862
DC Office: (202) 225-4965
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Rep. Jackie Speier
San Mateo Office: (650) 342-0300
DC Office: (202) 225-3531
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Call Script
My name is __________. I am a constituent, and my zip code is _______. I am a member of Indivisible SF.
I strongly oppose Trump's threats and efforts aimed at forcing “regime change” in Venezuela through military intervention, “surgical strikes,” or covert subversion efforts. I and most other Americans are outraged at Russia's interference in our own elections and I am against our doing to others what we don't want done to us. Regardless of our opinion of their current government, it's up to the Venezuelan people to handle their own political affairs.
Therefore, I urge you to:
1. Firmly state your opposition to military threats and covert actions against Venezuela
2. Support the “Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act” (HR.1004 & S.J.Res.11)
3. Demand full compliance with the War Powers Act.
4. Investigate the veracity of administration claims to expose any lies and falsehoods.
Context
Trump, Republican leaders, and administration officials are increasing their threats of military intervention and covert subversion aimed at overthrowing the Maduro government in Venezuela. These efforts are being led by long-time war hawks like National Security Adviser John Bolton and Special Representative for Venezuela Elliot Abrams, both of whom were prime architects of the Weapons of Mass Destruction lies and the false promises of easy victory that led to Bush-II's Iraq War—a quagmire we are still mired in 16 years later. Military intervention in Venezuela may well have a similar outcome.
Background:
Military experts estimate than an outright invasion of Venezuela might require as many as 150,000 U.S. troops who would face over 300,000 Venezuelan soldiers in a country twice the size of Iraq. Other options under consideration include “surgical strikes” by aircraft, missiles, or drones to decapitate the Maduro government, covert subversion and sabotage and the use of humanitarian aid to provoke a coup, rebellion, or civil war. Such efforts would be in addition to the ongoing financial sanctions and trade embargoes that have been in place since 2017. Those sanctions and embargoes have denied the Venezuelan people access to medicine, food, and other goods essential to their survival. Yet at the same time, sanction and embargo loopholes and exemptions have been granted to politically-connect U.S. corporations like Chevron and Halliburton so that they can continue their profitable enterprises in Venezuela.
Many international observers believe that Trump's actions violate the charters of the United Nations and Organization of American States as well as signed bilateral treaties and other international law and conventions. International support for the administration's “regime change” efforts comes almost entirely from right-wing, authoritarian, and “Trumpian” states like Brazil, Honduras, Columbia, Argentina, Ecuador, and Paraguay.
Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world, larger than those of Saudi Arabia. Bolton recently stated: “It will make a big difference to the United States economically if we could have American oil companies really invest in and produce the oil capabilities in Venezuela.” Some observers interpret that goal as a Trump doctrine of, “To the victor belongs the oil.” Bolton's scheme seems designed to reverse the long-standing policy of Venezuela owning and controlling its oil reserves and revenue.
As a practical matter, the “Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act” (HR.1004 & S.J.Res.11) blocks use of U.S. military forces in Venezuela without a congressional declaration of war or statutory authorization as provided by the War Powers Act. The purpose of the War Powers Act is to “insure that the collective judgment of both the Congress and the President will apply to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities.”
References
There are mounting signs of military planning for Venezuela, MilitaryTimes, 3/15/19
Military intervention in Venezuela is ‘an option,' Trump says, as Russia warns against ‘meddling,’ MilitaryTimes, 2/4/19
The Reality Behind Trump’s Coalition for Regime Change in Venezuela, New Republic, 3/13/19
A War for Oil? Bolton Pushes Privatization of Venezuela’s Oil as U.S. Ratchets Up Pressure on Maduro, Democracy Now! 1/30/19
Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act (House)
Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act (Senate)
War Powers, Library of Congress