Venezuela arrests two Americans in plot to kidnap President Maduro

(May 7) Luke Denman the US citizen who was arrested in Venezuela after a failed incursion described a plot to kidnap President Nicolas Maduro and fly him to the United States.

The alleged plot

Denman outlined the plot on Venezuelan state media. Denman said that he and others who work for the Florida-based Silvercorp Corporation were to seize control of Caracas international airport and then capture President Maduro take him to the airport and fly him to the United States. Benham claimed that there were about 50 people trained for the operation.

Silvercorp for its part has claimed that their operation was paid for by Juan Guaido the US-supported coup leader who declared himself and it recognized as the legitimate president by the US and many of its allies. If this is true than no doubt funds for the operation came from the US. Venezuelan authorities on Monday arrested Denman, together with fellow U.S. citizen Airan Berry and 11 others. Maduro called the operation a failed plot coordinated with Washington designed to oust him.

Denman explained on TV the operation's relation to Silvercorp: "Denman said he and Berry were contracted by Jordan Goudreau, a U.S. military veteran who leads Silvercorp, to train 50 to 60 Venezuelans in Colombia in January for the operation. Goudreau supplied the group with equipment."

Guaido and US deny involvement

The US has denied any direct role in the operation. This leaves open a possible indirect role. Guaido has denied any ties to Silvercorp. Even though the US has denied any involvement in the operation the US State Dept. has vowed to do everything possible to release Americans involved in the attack. With Denman admitting the group intended to kidnap President Maduro there is little likelihood that Americans involved would be released.

Venezuelan authorities authorities claim they arrested the group by the isolated coastal town of Chuao, about 60 kilometers (40 miles) west of Caracas’ airport, after locals raised suspicions. Venezuelan authorities published photos that they claimed was the group's boat. It was loaded with ammunition, weapons, and communications equipment. Eight people involved in the same operation were reported killed on Monday in La Guaira state near the capital Caracas the government said.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Trump vetoes Congress resolution to limit his power to wage war on Iran

(May 6) The Iran War Powers resolution was passed in the US Senate in February and then In the House of Representatives in March. On Wednesday it was vetoed by President Trump who claimed it was insulting and dangerous as it limited his ability to attack Iran.

Purpose of the bill

The resolution was intended to serve as a preemptive War Powers Act challenge to a war with Iran. The act noted that the US Congress has not in any way authorized a US war against Iran. It ordered that any military operations related to a war with Iran be stopped. Trump has repeatedly claimed that he has the right to unilaterally decide who the US can attack. He constantly claims that it is insulting to suggest otherwise and also dangerous to limit in any way the possibility of the US carrying out preemptive attacks wherever it wants.The War Powers Act gives the US Congress the power to limit the president's power to initiate conflicts.

The Iran War Powers measure passed the House of Representatives 227 to 186. It was expected that Trump would veto the resolution. There are not enough pro-votes in Congress to overcome the Trump veto. This will end this particular legal challenge against Trump for now.

The lawmakers have been increasing their attempt to limit Trump's powers after he had key Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani assassinated near the Baghdad airport in Iraq. This sparked an Iranian response in which Iran attacked US bases in Iraq. The US Congress worried that the attack on Soleimani was without any US Congress input.

House Republicans defend Trump

Republican in the House maintained that Trump had actually been restrained in his actions against Iran. They complained that the bill was just a partisan exercise. Representative Michael McCaul of Texas the top Foreign Affairs Republican said: "In my judgment, we are wasting precious legislative days and setting a terrible precedent of abusing war powers procedures."

Groups that want to restrain executive war powers and limit US future overseas wars supported the resolution. Nate Anderson of Concerned Veterans of America supported the resolution saying: “The United States should always retain the capability to protect itself from threats, and it is important to note this measure does not prohibit the president from defending our country and our fellow Americans should they be threatened. Rather, this is a positive step toward a better foreign policy that will better position America to prioritize American safety, engage productively in the world, and prevent endless wars with no clear mission or end goal.”

Previously published in the Digital Journal