No One Wants This War

1.5.26

Happy Monday and welcome to today’s edition of Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Let’s break down the latest news in politics.

Maduro in U.S. Custody, Pleads Not Guilty….Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores made their first appearance in a Manhattan federal courtroom Monday after being captured in a U.S. military operation in Caracas. Shackled and in jail attire, Maduro insisted he is innocent and “still president of my country,” while Flores pled “not guilty” to charges including narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, conspiracy, and money laundering. Both are being held in Brooklyn as part of a broader superseding indictment naming six defendants allegedly tied to violent drug networks. Protests rippled outside the courthouse—some demanding Maduro’s release, others backing his capture. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump defended the operation, claiming U.S. forces acted with law enforcement support and declaring the U.S. will “run” Venezuela temporarily, an extraordinary pivot for an administration long critical of foreign entanglements. Venezuelan leadership has denounced the operation as an illegal “kidnapping,” appointing Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader.

Common Sense takeaway: The U.S. just staged a military raid in Venezuela and hauled Maduro to New York, then Trump declared the U.S. is “running” the country. This has serious implications for American credibility and regional stability. Maduro may be guilty of serious crimes, but the optics of the U.S. playing provisional president is a disaster waiting to happen, and it will fuel anti-American sentiment across Latin America.

Trump Escalates After Maduro—Threatens Colombia, Taunts Cuba…..Just days after the U.S. military captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump is now openly threatening Colombia and Cuba—implying military action against Colombian President Gustavo Petro and claiming Cuba is “ready to fall.” Trump accused Petro of drug trafficking without evidence, said a U.S. operation against Colombia “sounds good,” and suggested Cuba is collapsing now that Venezuelan oil money has dried up following the strike. Petro fired back, calling Trump’s remarks slanderous and dangerous, while Cuban officials confirmed at least 32 of their nationals were killed during the Venezuela operation. Meanwhile as stated above, Venezuela has named Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader, condemned the capture as a “kidnapping,” and Trump has doubled down—saying the U.S. is now “in charge” of Venezuela and demanding “total access” to its oil.

Common Sense takeaway: He’s openly threatening Colombia and taunting Cuba, while bragging about controlling Venezuela’s oil. The chaos he’s creating could backfire badly, destabilizing the region and dragging the U.S. into conflicts nobody wants. It’s reckless and dangerous, and the people paying the price won’t be himself or his billionaires buddies, it will be American troops.

Walz Drops Out of Re-Election Race….Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday that he will not seek a third term, ending his re-election bid just months after saying he planned to run again. Walz said escalating fraud investigations in the state—and what he called Republican “political gamesmanship” around them—would make it impossible to both govern effectively and run a campaign, arguing his time is better spent fixing problems than defending his own political future. The move creates a sudden open race in a state Democrats have controlled for nearly two decades, with Sen. Amy Klobuchar now seriously considering a run. Walz leaves office after an impactful tenure that included expanding abortion rights, legalizing recreational marijuana, passing paid family leave, and enacting gun safety measures—but also navigating high-profile political attacks on Minnesotans and himself through the 2024 election.

Common Sense takeaway: This is honestly not what we needed right now. Minnesota now has an open race, and the party needs strong, credible candidates ready to step in. Walz’s record shows what progressive leadership can look like, but his sudden exit is now giving credence to the Republican attacks against him instead of dismissing them.

Pentagon Targets Sen. Mark Kelly Over Criticism of Trump….Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Pentagon is moving to downgrade Sen. Mark Kelly’s military retirement rank and pay, accusing the retired Navy captain of making “seditious statements” after Kelly appeared in a video urging service members not to follow illegal orders from the Trump administration. Hegseth has also issued a formal censure and launched proceedings that could reduce Kelly’s pension, arguing the senator’s comments undermined military discipline. Kelly fired back, calling the move political retaliation and an attack on free speech, warning it sends a chilling message that retired service members can be punished for criticizing the government. He says he will fight the action, framing it as an attempt by Trump and Hegseth to intimidate dissent and weaponize the military chain of command against political opponents.

Common Sense takeaway: The Pentagon is threatening a retired Navy captain with censure and a pay cut for speaking out against illegal orders. Let that sink in. Trump and Hegseth are weaponizing the military to intimidate political opponents and chill free speech—something a healthy democracy shouldn’t tolerate. Kelly is right to fight back on behalf of himself and other servicemembers.

That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense with Ally Sammarco. Check back tomorrow for more!