WASHINGTON

US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday defended the recent US military operation in Venezuela, calling it “decisive and justified” and attributing responsibility for violence and drug trafficking into the US to captured President Nicolas Maduro.

"The US military operation in Venezuela was a decisive and justified action. Nicolas Maduro is responsible for the deaths of untold thousands of Americans, after years of trafficking illegal drugs and violent cartel members into our country," Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill.

His remarks came following a closed-door briefing delivered to the Congressional leadership on President Donald Trump's military operation Saturday in the South American country, which had resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, first lady Cilia Flores.

"We are not at war, we do not have US armed forces in Venezuela, and we are not occupying that country," Johnson said.

Johnson also addressed Congress’s role in overseeing military operations, noting that lawmakers continue to closely monitor the situation in Venezuela.

Monday’s briefing to the Gang of Eight marked the 20th bipartisan briefing on US military involvement in the country, with a full congressional briefing scheduled later in the week.

"Despite the claims by some of my colleagues, under the War Powers Act, there is no requirement for prior Congressional approval or prior notification," he said.