With 52-47 vote, Senate raps Trump on Venezuela, seeks to limit war powers

The Senate narrowly voted Thursday to take up a resolution that would rein in President Donald Trump's power to use military force in Venezuela, a striking rebuke to the president's authority.

The 52-47 vote, with a handful of Republicans joining Democrats, begins debate on the resolution invoking the War Powers Act, and another vote would be needed for final passage of the resolution.

The move is largely considered symbolic, as it is unclear whether the House will approve it, and Trump can veto the resolution should it end up on his desk.


Also on Thursday, President Gustavo Petro of Colombia said that he had reached a diplomatic breakthrough with the United States, a day after his first phone conversation with Trump appeared to ease tensions that had escalated sharply following the US raid in Venezuela.

Four days after saying that a US operation in Colombia "sounds good," the President said on social media shortly after the phone call that it had been a "Great Honour" to speak to Petro, who he said had "called to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements that we have had."

Trump said that he looked forward to meeting Petro and that a White House visit was being arranged. Those statements appeared to dispel for now the possibility of US military action in the country. Previously Trump had threatened intervention in Colombia over its role as a cocaine hub, and Petro told the Times earlier on Wednesday that he had feared US military action like in Venezuela.

US Set for Long Haul in Caracas

Meanwhile, Trump said on Wednesday that he expected the US to run Venezuela and tap into its oil reserves for years after toppling Maduro.

Trump told the New York Times "only time will tell" how long the US would demand direct oversight of the South American country.

But when asked whether that meant three months, six months or a year, Trump told the paper: "I would say much longer."

Oil Companies Rush for Access

Oil traders and US refiners are rushing to position for access to Venezuelan crude after the Trump administration said it would take control of as much as 50 million barrels, one of the largest unexpected supply flows in years.

The US strategy thrusts the federal government into direct involvement in the international oil market and promises to reinvigorate flows of Venezuelan crude to American refineries after years of sanctions. Trump also said in the interview that the US would be extracting Veneauelan oil for years. "We will rebuild it in a very profitable way," he told the newspaper.

The US moves have prompted a flurry of interest from previously sidelined players as well as the select few that have been able to continue operations in Venezuela.