(NewsNation) — Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has called the congressional hearings held on the Venezuela boat strikes “pretty comprehensive.”
“This idea that the media has put out that the military is just picking off any boat it comes across, that’s just not true,” Fetterman told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo. “There’s extensive intelligence, and they know exactly who’s on that boat and what’s on that boat.”
Fetterman added at times, the military will decline to move on those pieces of intelligence they receive, and that when they do make a move, they have absolute confidence in their decision.
After Tuesday’s Senate briefing on the matter, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth both praised the series of strikes, part of an operation called “Operation Southern Spear.”
“This has been a highly successful mission that’s ongoing and continued, and we’re pleased to be here today to update Congress on how that’s developing and how that’s moving forward,” Rubio said. Hegseth said he “echoed that” sentiment.
President Donald Trump announced a blockade of all tankers carrying “sanctioned” oil and said he has designated the Nicolás Maduro-led Venezuelan regime as a foreign terrorist organization. Trump also threatened that warships surrounding the country will only get bigger until the return of oil, land and other assets he claims belong to the U.S.
Fetterman said he does not see the move as being another step toward a land war with Venezuela, however.
“Seizing those kinds of oil that’s undeniably going to support Iran, to me, it makes a lot of sense,” Fetterman said.