Venezuela’s National Assembly Delays Session on U.S. Strike Inquiry
National Assembly postpones debate on deadly American naval attacks.
Venezuela’s National Assembly abruptly suspended an extraordinary session scheduled for Monday that was convened to establish a special commission investigating a series of lethal United States military strikes on vessels Washington labelled as drug-trafficking boats operating off Venezuela’s Caribbean coast and in the eastern Pacific Ocean since September.
The Assembly’s press office announced the postponement late Monday afternoon, rescheduling the critical debate for Tuesday—its regular plenary day—without providing an official explanation, although parliamentary sources suggested the delay allowed additional time to incorporate fresh intelligence and coordinate with affected families before formal proceedings commenced.
The proposed commission, announced Sunday by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez following an emotional meeting with relatives of the deceased, was intended to document at least 21 separate strikes that have claimed 83 lives, compile evidence of alleged violations of international maritime law, and pursue accountability for what Caracas describes as unprovoked aggression in international waters.
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Rodríguez, who also serves as President Nicolás Maduro’s chief negotiator with Washington, cited a Washington Post investigation claiming that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth personally authorised a September operation with explicit instructions to “kill everyone aboard” one targeted vessel, regardless of evidence confirming illicit activity, as the catalyst for demanding an immediate parliamentary inquiry.
The suspension occurred hours after confirmation that President Donald Trump would convene his top national security team Monday to discuss Venezuela policy, one day after Trump publicly acknowledged his first direct conversation with Maduro since returning to office, heightening speculation that behind-the-scenes diplomatic manoeuvring may have influenced the legislative calendar in Caracas.
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