Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is drawing a constitutional line in the sand over Venezuela. On Monday, he warned that any U.S. troop deployment to the South American nation will trigger an immediate bipartisan showdown over war powers—and he's ready to force Congress to weigh in.

Constitutional Clash Brewing

Speaking from the Senate floor, the New York Democrat made his position clear: "Should a strike occur, we will force a debate in Congress and force a vote to prevent U.S. troops from being in hostilities against Venezuela. Our troops' safety and our national security are at stake."

A few hours later, Schumer sharpened his message on X: "Let me be clear: If Donald Trump continues his actions against Venezuela, we will immediately file a War Powers Resolution to block the deployment of U.S. forces to Venezuela. The power to declare war lies solely in the hands of Congress—not Donald Trump."

The Strikes That Sparked the Warning

So what exactly prompted this threat? Since September, the Trump administration has been conducting air and naval strikes against what officials describe as drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific. The administration frames these operations as self-defense against "narco-terrorists" allegedly connected to Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro. More than 80 people have died across over 20 strikes, according to U.S. officials.

Trump was scheduled to meet with his national security team Monday to review the campaign and discuss potential next steps on Venezuela. The president confirmed Sunday that he recently spoke by phone with Maduro but didn't share details of their conversation.

Venezuela Pushes Back

In Caracas, Maduro told supporters that U.S. pressure has "tested" Venezuela but insisted his people are prepared "to defend it and lead it to the path of peace." He characterized the situation as "22 weeks of aggression that can only be described as psychological terrorism."

Venezuela's National Assembly has launched an inquiry into the strikes. Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez recently acknowledged for the first time that Venezuelans have been killed in the U.S. campaign—a significant admission as tensions continue to climb.