Christopher Schmidt Condemns Foreign Intervention, Calls for Constitutional Accountability

Independent Candidate Christopher Schmidt offered the following statement.

"Now what? What is the plan—another endless war? Another occupation? Watching a country collapse into chaos is unacceptable. Many elected officials speak confidently about the Constitution, yet fail to grasp what it actually demands. Blind loyalty is not patriotism. Freedom requires backbone. It requires saying no when government steps outside the law, no matter who is in office.Over 65% of Venezuelans do not support foreign intervention even if a large portion do not want Maduro as President," he said. "The current administration promised peace but has instead engaged in actions that resemble imperial overreach. I opposed the illegal occupation of Iraq and the decades-long war in Afghanistan—and I oppose this as well. National sovereignty and international law cannot be disregarded for political convenience."

North Country Congressional candidates share mixed views of Maduro capture

Original Source: North Country Congressional candidates share mixed views of Maduro capture - North Country Now

Candidates seeking the 21st Congressional District seat in 2027 shared their views Saturday on a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

President Donald J. Trump dubbed the mission Operation Absolute Resolve, calling it a strike against international drug trafficking.

Some candidates commented directly on the military action, while others used the moment to criticize their political opponents.

Republican Robert Smullen voiced support for the operation.

“President Trump took bold, decisive action to bring Nicolás Maduro to justice in the United States,” Smullen said. “As a designated narcoterrorist, Maduro led a brutal criminal enterprise responsible for the deaths of countless Americans. This is leadership. This is accountability. And it sends an unmistakable message: No dictator, no cartel boss and no criminal is beyond the reach of American justice.”

Republican Anthony Constantino also supported the move but used his statement to attack Smullen, his primary opponent. 

“Historic triumphs like the capture of Nicolás Maduro are why I put up the ‘Vote for Trump’ sign and fight to get my fellow Americans to speak up in support of President Trump,” Constantino said. “My opponent, Robert Smullen, should be absolutely ashamed that he never endorsed President Trump. Smullen is a coward who would have let the Venezuelan people continue to suffer while Maduro pumped our country full of drugs that kill our citizens.”

Despite Constantino's claims, Smullen, a U.S. Marine veteran, has been supportive of Trump and his platform.

Democrat Blake Gendebien condemned Maduro while raising concerns about congressional oversight.

“Nicolás Maduro is a dictator with strong ties to criminal activity, and his regime has caused real harm to Venezuela and across South America. That reality matters,” Gendebien said in a social media post.

“It is important to acknowledge the men and women of our military who put their lives on the line for this operation, but we cannot ignore the lack of oversight,” he said. “The people of the North Country did not vote for an open-ended, taxpayer-funded occupation of a foreign nation that was not approved by the representatives they sent to Congress.”

Democrat Dylan Hewitt was sharply critical of the action, saying the federal government often claims it lacks funding for social programs while readily financing military operations. He made the remarks during a press conference shared on social media and later issued a statement criticizing Gendebien, his primary opponent.

“When a president drags America into another illegal regime-change war, silence is not leadership — it is a choice,” Hewitt said. “And 24 hours later, Blake Gendebien has chosen to say nothing.”

“There is always money for war and for Wall Street,” he said. “Traders are already cashing in, oil executives are celebrating after Donald Trump promised them ‘a great deal,’ and insiders are lining up to get rich. But when it comes to lowering health care costs or relief from rising utility bills, suddenly we’re told there’s nothing. When Washington elites choose war, North Country families are the ones who carry the burden.”

Independent Candidate Christopher Schmidt offered the following statement.

"Now what? What is the plan—another endless war? Another occupation? Watching a country collapse into chaos is unacceptable. Many elected officials speak confidently about the Constitution, yet fail to grasp what it actually demands. Blind loyalty is not patriotism. Freedom requires backbone. It requires saying no when government steps outside the law, no matter who is in office.Over 65% of Venezuelans do not support foreign intervention even if a large portion do not want Maduro as President," he said. "The current administration promised peace but has instead engaged in actions that resemble imperial overreach. I opposed the illegal occupation of Iraq and the decades-long war in Afghanistan—and I oppose this as well. National sovereignty and international law cannot be disregarded for political convenience."

On Tuesday, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in a New York City courthouse to face drug and weapons charges.

Following Maduro’s capture Saturday, Trump said the United States is “in charge” and insisted it will “run” the country.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who previously condemned the operation, later called for cooperation with the United States.

The military action has been condemned by several countries, including Russia, Mexico and China.

While few nations praised the operation, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would “shed no tears” over Maduro and reiterated the United Kingdom’s long-standing support for a transition of power in Venezuela.