US National Intelligence Director’s Silence on Venezuela Operation Raises Eyebrows
As the news of the US operation to remove Nicolás Maduro from power in Caracas broke, many were surprised to find that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had yet to comment on the matter. With over 24 hours having passed since President Trump approved the mission, Gabbard’s silence has sparked curiosity among those in the US intelligence community who were involved in the operation.
Given her background as a vocal critic of “regime change wars,” Gabbard’s lack of response is particularly noteworthy. During her time in Congress, she was an outspoken opponent of the US war in Iraq, which toppled Saddam Hussein. Her views on the matter were further emphasized in a speech at Turning Point USA’s annual conference last month, where she criticized “warmongers” in the intelligence community for attempting to undermine Trump’s efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Gabbard’s Past Statements on Venezuela
In the past, Gabbard has also expressed her opposition to US involvement in Venezuela, writing in 2019 that “it’s about the oil… again.” She emphasized the need for the US to “stay out of Venezuela” and allow the Venezuelan people to determine their own future. Her stance on the matter was clear: “We don’t want other countries to choose our leaders, so we have to stop trying to choose theirs.”
In contrast to Gabbard’s silence, CIA Director John Ratcliffe was quick to praise the operation, accompanying President Trump in Mar-a-Lago throughout the night and standing beside him during a news conference announcing the results. Ratcliffe took to social media to express his admiration for the teamwork involved, posting photos of himself with the president’s team in the temporary situation room set up at Trump’s Florida estate.
Implications of Gabbard’s Silence
Gabbard’s decision not to comment on the Venezuela operation has raised questions about her stance on the matter and her role as Director of National Intelligence. As someone with a history of criticizing regime change wars, her silence may be seen as inconsistent with her previous views. However, without a statement from Gabbard herself, it is difficult to determine her exact position on the operation.
For more information on this developing story, readers can visit Here to stay up-to-date on the latest news and analysis.
Image Source: www.latimes.com
