Updated January 6, 2026 at 8:16 AM PST
Rep. Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington, says the Trump administration's plans for Venezuela after removing sitting President Nicolás Maduro from power are "vague."
Smith, the top Democrat serving on the House Armed Services Committee, attended a briefing Monday with administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.
In an interview with Morning Edition, Smith said Congressional leaders learned more about how the operation was carried out, but that the bulk of the briefing focused on the long-term strategy for Venezuela.
"There was a lot of talk about avoiding chaos now that Maduro is gone, vague talk about how the administration is working with the now-president of Venezuela [Delcy] Rodriguez, but not any specifics," Smith said.
He added that the economic chaos facing Venezuela "runs the risk of it turning into armed gangs fighting with each other in a chaotic situation. It certainly doesn't improve the very problems that supposedly taking Maduro was supposed to fix."
Speaking to NPR's Leila Fadel, Smith discussed the legality of the operation to remove Maduro from Venezuela and concerns about ongoing U.S. involvement in the South American country.
Listen to the full interview by clicking on the blue play button above.
The web copy was written by Obed Manuel and edited by Treye Green.
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