Alamogordo Protesters Join National Outcry Over U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela Without Congressional Approval

ALAMOGORDO, NM — On a crisp Saturday morning, dozens of Alamogordo residents assembled peacefully near the intersection of 10th Street and White Sands Boulevard to protest the United States’ sudden military intervention in Venezuela. Signs reading “NO ILLEGAL WAR,” "NO WAR WITH VENZUELA" and others...

waved around the crowd as protesters voiced outrage over Operation Absolute Resolve—the overnight operation that saw U.S. forces conduct airstrikes on Caracas and capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The demonstration part of an ongoing weekly demonstration against the administration, which ran from approximately 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., was documented in real time by AlamogordoTownNews.org and KALH Radio. On-the-ground interviews captured raw sentiment from local residents who see the action as both unconstitutional and dangerously reminiscent of past U.S. interventions.

https://youtube.com/shorts/cKGAa_x-ErY?feature=shared

One protester Shari Adkinsson told reporters: “Our administration has started an absolutely illegal war  in Venezuela and it’s time for Congress to stand up and call his bluff. If we don’t, we’ll never get our democracy back.”

Another Scott Thompson a former Veteran condemned the motives behind the capture: “The way that we kidnapped Maduro and took him hostage basically for the benefits of the big oil companies is unconscionable and in violation of all kinds of international and national laws, and it should be a very shameful day for most patriotic Americans.”

A third participant Carolyn Kittle, visibly emotional, drew parallels to earlier conflicts: “I’m really chagrined to hear that we’re in another war. And it hearkens back to my youth when lies got us into the Vietnam War my family lost four people.”

Full video footage of the protest and these interviews is available on YouTube Shorts: https://youtube.com/shorts/cKGAa_x-ErY?feature=shared

Local organizers underscored the significance for a military town like Alamogordo, home to Holloman Air Force Base: “Many of us have served or have loved ones who serve. We honor their oath to the Constitution—which means we cannot stay silent when that Constitution is bypassed and no congressional authorization is given for unilateral military action.”

Divided Reactions: Support in Expatriate Communities, Concerns Over Legality

While Alamogordo’s protest highlighted grassroots opposition, celebrations erupted in Venezuelan expatriate hubs like Doral, Florida (often called “Doralzuela”), where crowds gathered to cheer Maduro’s removal as the end of a dictatorial regime. Similar pro-intervention sentiments appeared among some Republican lawmakers and Venezuelan opposition supporters abroad, who view the operation as long-overdue justice for alleged election rigging, human rights abuses, and narco-trafficking.

However, the action has sparked intense debate over its legality. Critics, including Democrats and some constitutional scholars, argue it violates the War Powers Resolution of 1973—a Vietnam-era law requiring congressional notification and authorization for extended military engagements. The administration did not seek prior congressional approval, prompting accusations of executive overreach.

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) issued a pointed statement Saturday morning:

“Let’s be clear, President Trump has acted without any legal authorization from Congress. His ‘capture’ of Maduro—no matter how terrible a leader Maduro is—breaks our nation’s laws, tarnishes our global leadership, puts Americans in Venezuela and our Armed Forces at risk, and sets an extremely dangerous precedent.

Americans want lower costs, transparency, and justice—not endless armed conflicts and regime change wars.

President Trump’s actions do not have the consent of the American people and should be condemned by Congress.”

Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-2) echoed these concerns, joining calls for emergency hearings.

A Community Connected to the Consequences

Veterans and military families were prominent among the protesters. One retired Air Force member told KALH Radio: “We support our troops without question, but they deserve missions that follow the law and have clear congressional backing. Anything less puts them—and our country—at unnecessary risk.”

As international condemnation grows—from the United Nations, Latin American governments, and other nations —the White House defends the operation as lawful enforcement of a 2020 U.S. indictment against Maduro for narco-terrorism. President Trump announced Maduro is en route to New York to face charges and stated the U.S. will temporarily administer Venezuela during a transition period, with strong involvement in its oil sector.

Stay tuned to AlamogordoTownNews.org and KALHradio.org for further updates...

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