A dangerous bargain is being struck, one that trades American lives for Venezuelan oil. The current administration is pursuing a reckless course of action, a path paved with corruption and a disregard for constitutional boundaries, and it demands immediate scrutiny.
From two distinct perspectives – one forged in the jungles of Latin America as a Marine commander, the other rooted in the heart of Texas oil country – the danger is clear. A critical check and balance is failing, as those entrusted with oversight stand silent while the potential for conflict escalates.
The administration’s actions haven’t removed the current regime in Venezuela, but rather signaled a new claim: its oil is now under American control. This ambition requires rebuilding a dilapidated energy infrastructure, a costly and inherently hazardous undertaking.
American oil companies will inevitably require substantial government support, and crucially, security. They will be operating in a volatile environment, facing threats from pro-government forces, Colombian terrorist groups, and powerful criminal organizations. This reality has led to the unsettling possibility of deploying American troops as armed guards for oil extraction.
Those who would be sent face a formidable challenge. The terrain of Venezuela favors those who know its jungles and rivers intimately. Our military, while the most capable in the world, has spent decades preparing for a different kind of warfare – one reliant on clear lines of sight, a luxury absent beneath a dense canopy.
Our service members would undoubtedly complete their mission, but at what cost? They would be fighting not for democracy or security, but for the profits of a select few, vulnerable to ambush, disease, and cut off from vital support – all in the service of corporate gain.
The timing of this push is deeply troubling. Last year, promises of a “great deal” were made to oil executives who contributed a billion dollars to a political campaign. Now, the reward is being offered: access to 300 billion barrels of oil. But this won’t translate to lower gas prices for American families.
The projected increase in oil supply is a drop in the bucket compared to global demand, and even in Texas, the heart of American oil production, layoffs are occurring. This isn’t about energy independence or economic growth; it’s about consolidating wealth and power in the hands of a few, a pattern repeated with tariffs, tax cuts, and technological policies.
Beyond the economic concerns, the actions themselves are legally questionable. The administration claims military action is merely supporting law enforcement, a claim undermined by past behavior and a blatant disregard for established protocols. A president who once deferred to a foreign adversary now asserts unchecked authority on the international stage.
The fundamental issue is this: absent an immediate threat to the homeland, the Constitution demands congressional authorization for the use of military force. Venezuela poses no such threat. Concerns about drug trafficking could be addressed through alternative, less aggressive means, such as targeting the source of fentanyl exports.
To allow a president to unilaterally initiate military action, to bomb cities and pursue regime change without consulting Congress, sets a dangerous precedent. It invites further military adventurism, squandering resources and risking American lives on poorly conceived plans. The administration has already hinted at similar actions in Cuba, Greenland, and Colombia.
This isn’t a partisan issue. Both parties must reject this overreach. Neither our military nor our economy will benefit from an open-ended deployment to Venezuela. The time for silence is over; the time for accountability is now.
