Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego slammed the Trump administration over its military pressure campaign against the Venezuelan regime, saying "there are a couple of people" in it "who want a war and are doing everything they can to get us into a war."
Speaking to MS Now, Gallego said he doesn't "want a war" and "America doesn't want a war." "There's a couple of people in the administration who want a war and are doing everything they can to get us into a war," he added.
Gallego: "This is the Iraq War 2.0 with a South American flavor to it. I'm hoping this doesn't happen, but I'm telling you right now -- if you look at what they have down there, all the assets they have down there, all the actions they're taking, this is absolutely an effort to… pic.twitter.com/THIMDR8Q9A
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 17, 2025
"This is the Iraq War 2.0 with a South American flavor to it. I'm hoping this doesn't happen, but I'm telling you right now -- if you look at what they have down there, all the assets they have down there, all the actions they're taking, this is absolutely an effort to get us involved in a war in Venezuela."
Gallego is not the only Democrat actively speaking against the administration's actions against the Maduro regime. Another one is Rep. Joaquin Castro, who said President Donald Trump's announcement of a blockade of oil tankers off the Venezuela's coast was "unquestionably an act of war" and defended his initiative to end hostilities with the South American country.
In a social media publication, Castro said the act is a "war that the Congress never authorized and the American people do not want."
He went on to note that the House is set to vote on Thursday on a resolution to end hostilities with the South American country, which he introduced along with fellow Democrat Jim McGovern and Republican lawmaker Thomas Massie.
"Every member of the House of Representatives will have the opportunity to decide if they support sending Americans into yet another regime change war," he added.
In contrast, Sen. John Fetterman defended the blockade, saying the asset "will support Iran" and its proceeds will be used to fund "terrorism."
Speaking to Chris Cuomo on NewsNation, Fetterman said Trump justified the decision claiming that "Iran is involved on that, and Russia is involved on that, and China as well too."
"That's sanctioned oil right now and those are the kinds of funds that support regimes like Iran. It's not a plan for a land war and invade Venezuela but seizing those kinds of oil tankers, it's undeniable that's oil that will support Iran and funds are used on terrorism. For me it makes a lot of sense," he added.
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