Senate blocks Democratic attempt to limit Trump’s military actions in Cuba

The United States Senate this Tuesday rejected an initiative promoted by Democrats to limit President Donald Trump’s authority in the use of military force against Cuba, in a new episode of tension between Congress and the White House over war powers.

As expected, with Republican opposition, the proposal was stopped with 51 votes against and 47 in favor, in a vote marked by Republican party discipline, although with exceptions: Republican senators Susan Collins, from Maine, and Rand Paul, from Kentucky, joined the Democratic initiative.

The project, which seemed almost impossible to advance, sought to force the president to obtain authorization from Congress before undertaking any military action against the island.in line with the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which establishes limits on military interventions without legislative approval.

Prior to the vote, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned of the risk of escalation: “Republicans must get ahead of the impending catastrophe in Cuba before it gets even worse, as they should have done with Trump’s war in Iran.”

Democrats maintain that recent government actions, such as the energy blockade and the interdiction of fuel shipments, may constitute “hostilities” and therefore require congressional oversight.

Senator Tim Kaine, one of the sponsors of the resolution, argued that if similar measures were applied against the United States, They would be considered acts of war.

In contrast, Republicans rejected the initiative as unnecessary and politically motivated. Senator Rick Scott said there is no military intervention underway, while other lawmakers accused Democrats of ignoring reports of human rights violations in Cuba.

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