Leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate criticized the United States' military operation in Venezuela to arrest President Nicolas Maduro.

“We strongly condemn President Trump’s announced plans to occupy Venezuela. We have many urgent needs here at home, and President Trump’s declaration that ‘we are not afraid of troops on the ground’ demands clarity,” reads a joint statement from the Senate, led by Chuck Schumer (New York). Democrats accuse the Trump Administration of lying to Congress about its plans in Venezuela. “Having lied to Congress and misled the American people about its objectives while spending months preparing to capture Maduro, the administration must be transparent with Congress and our nation about its true plans in Venezuela,” the statement adds. “The American people deserve answers about what vital interests are at stake and how this promotes their security, something this administration has failed to provide.”

The CHC leadership rejected “Trump’s illegitimate use of war powers in Venezuela” and stated that this action will only weaken U.S. alliances.

“President Trump is putting the United States and its proud men and women in uniform in a dangerous and uncertain situation. His open-ended proposal to take over the government in Venezuela will not only weaken our global and regional alliances, it will harm Americans within our country,” the CHC statement reads.

Although Democrats recognize that Maduro is an “illegitimate dictator,” they do not support U.S. intervention in a sovereign nation.

“Nicolas Maduro was an illegitimate dictator who will not be missed by anyone, but we unequivocally reject the idea that the United States can administer another sovereign nation.”

they add,“We know from experience that the destabilization of Venezuela causes massive, uncontrolled, and disorderly migration in our hemisphere. Neither Trump nor Secretary of State Marco Rubio coherently stated who will be in charge of 'running the country' in Maduro's absence, and that is a sign of danger.” The CHC message was signed by CHC Chairman Adriano Espaillat (New York), Darren Soto (Florida), Sylvia Garcia (Texas), Joaquin Castro (Texas), Norma Torres (California), Rob Menendez (New Jersey), and Andrea Salinas (Oregon). In addition to Schumer, the Senate message was signed by the ranking member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Chris Coons (Delaware), the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Patty Murray (Washington), the Senate Democratic Leader, Dick Durbin (Illinois), and the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jack Reed (Rhode Island), the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Mark Warner (Virginia).