US Senate votes to curb military action in Venezuela, Trump says oversight could last years

The U.S. Senate took a step on Thursday to limit President Donald Trump's ability to launch military actions in Venezuela without approval from Congress. The vote was 52 to 47 in favor of a resolution concerning war powers, with some Republicans joining all Democrats to support it. In an interview with the New York Times, Trump indicated that U.S. control over Venezuela might continue for several years. He also hinted that military threats against Colombia, a neighboring country, had eased. Trump extended an invitation to Colombia’s leftist leader, whom he had previously criticized, to come to Washington. He stated, “Only time will tell” how long U.S. oversight will last in Venezuela. When asked if it would be three months, six months, a year, or longer, Trump responded, “I would say much longer.” He expressed confidence in rebuilding Venezuela profitably, referencing a recent military operation to capture President Nicolas Maduro. Trump mentioned that relations with interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who was Maduro’s vice president, were “very good.” In other news, Jorge Rodriguez, Venezuela’s top lawmaker, announced that a large number of foreign and Venezuelan prisoners would be released on the same day.