WASHINGTON

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the Trump administration on Wednesday for the unexplained military buildup in the Caribbean, warning that Congress has been largely kept in the dark as tensions rise around Venezuela.

Schumer said from the Senate floor that President Donald Trump is sending the largest US aircraft carrier and thousands of sailors and marines to the Caribbean "as part of the largest military buildup in this hemisphere in decades,” and lawmakers have received “very few answers” about the purpose or scope of the deployment.

"In fact, on multiple occasions, I have directed Secretary Rubio to explain their escalatory actions towards Venezuela, but so far, I've received very little from him," Schumer said, referring to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"So, today I'm renewing my call on Secretary Rubio to provide an all senators classified briefing on this military buildup and reported plans for military operations in Venezuela," he said.

Schumer accused the administration of failing in its legal responsibility to keep Congress informed of potential military action.

"To date, the Trump administration has failed its duty under the law to consult with Congress on preparations for the military action in Venezuela.

"We have heard no clear timeline. We have heard no clear explanation for what Donald Trump's ultimate objective is in the region," he said.

The minority leader warned that any military confrontation could endanger thousands of US service members and trigger instability across Latin America.

"Make no mistake, the (Nicolas) Maduro regime is horrific, undemocratic, and the US should be strong in using all legal tools against drug traffickers who poison Americans with deadly narcotics, but the last thing Americans want right now is another endless war. The last thing Americans need is Donald Trump bumbling the US into a war with Venezuela," he said.

Tensions between the Trump administration and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have recently escalated after the US deployed a naval group to the southern Caribbean. The US claims the force is there to combat criminal cartels and drug trafficking.