he January assault by U.S. forces on Venezuela is an affront to everything the Omni Center for Peace, Justice, and Ecology stands for. We are not at war with Venezuela and have no right to sweep down in a violent assault capturing their President and recklessly destabilizing a sovereign country. Furthermore, this action was done without consultation with members of congress, as is required. It was an appalling, illegal, immoral act.
This action is unique in our modern history. Not the usual nation building escapade in the name of spreading democracy. This time our administration has made it loud and clear that they were uninterested in disrupting the current government’s hold on power. Rather, the stated goal is to gain control of oil revenues and even worse, to exploit vast potential oil reserves that should actually be left in the ground. This is thievery on a global scale.
Technically, it was a clear breach of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which unequivocally prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. Such mischief runs the risk of destabilizing the world order by our bad example.
There is nothing good going on here. While much damage is already done, our voices are still important, and we must continue to stand up and let it be known that we will not stand for such atrocities. Further, we can encourage our representatives to support the Senate War Powers Resolution (currently headed for the House) that would restrict the President’s ability to conduct military ventures without consulting Congress.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR OUR CONGRESSMEN
Sen. John Boozman
Republican
320 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4843
Fax: (202) 228-1371
Arkansas offices:
Fort Smith: (479) 573-0189
Little Rock: (501) 372-7153
Lowell: (479) 725-0400
Mountain Home: (870) 424-0129
Stuttgart: (870) 672-6941
Website: www.boozman.senate.gov
Sen. Tom Cotton
Republican
B-33 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2353
Arkansas offices:
Little Rock: (501) 223-9081
Springdale: (479) 751-0879
Website: www.cotton.senate.gov
Rep. Steve Womack
3RD DISTRICT
Republican
1119 Longworth Office Building
New Jersey and
Independence Avenues SE
Washington 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4301
Fax: (202) 225-5713
Arkansas offices:
Rogers: (479) 464-0446
Harrison: (870) 741-7741
Fort Smith: (479) 424-1146
Website: www.womack.house.gov