• Resolution moves forward on 52-47 vote; Trump blasts five senators who voted against him
• President says America could tap oil reserves for years
• Official asserts Washington won’t let Caracas become ‘client state of China’

WASHINGTON: The US Senate advanced a resolution on Thursday that would bar President Donald Trump from taking further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorisation, paving the way for further consideration in the 100-member chamber.

The vote on a procedural measure to advance the war powers resolution was 52 to 47, as five of Trump’s fellow Republicans voted with every Democrat in favour of moving ahead. One Republican senator did not vote.

The vote took place days after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic military raid in Caracas on Saturday, and marked a shift in the 100-member chamber.

Trump’s Republicans had blocked two previous attempts to advance similar resolutions in the Senate last year, as the administration ramped up military pressure on Venezuela with attacks on boats in the southern Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

However, the vote blocking the last resolution in November was only 51-49, just after top Trump advisors told lawmakers they did not plan to change the government or conduct strikes on Venezuelan territory.

After Maduro’s capture, some lawmakers accused the administration of misleading Congress, including Democrats publicly and some Republicans behind the scenes.

Maduro’s capture and Trump’s rhetoric have also raised concerns that he might launch military action to capture Greenland, an Arctic island that is a territory of Denmark.

The five Republicans who voted on Thursday to move ahead were Paul, Susan Collins of Maine, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Todd Young of Indiana. Trump’s party holds a 53-47 majority in the Senate.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump decried his fellow Repu­blicans in the US Senate who voted to advance a resolution that would bar him from taking further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorisation.

“Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again,” Trump wrote in a social media post.

‘Tap oil for years’

The vote in Congress unfolds as Trump publicly details his long-term vision for US involvement in the South American nation.

In an interview with The New York Times, Trump said the US could run Venezuela and tap its vast oil reserves for “much longer” than a year. He underscored his policy with what he has termed the “Donroe Doctrine” of US dominance in the region.

“We obviously have maximum leverage over the interim authorities in Venezuela right now,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, adding that their decisions “are going to continue to be dictated” by the US.

China’s role

Amid these plans, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that while there is room for China to have a commercial role in Venez­u­e­­la, however, Washington would ensure it remains the “dominant force”.

“As long as America is the dominant force there, the rule of law, the United States controls oil flow. That will be fine,” Wright told Fox Business Network. “Are we going to allow Venezuela to become a client state of China? Absolutely not.”

Wright added he expects major US oil companies to soon expand their roles in the country.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2026