WASHINGTON 

US senators on Thursday pressed President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) on strategy for US military assets in the Caribbean amid escalating tensions related to Venezuela.

In his opening remarks before the Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing, Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan said if confirmed, he will collaborate "closely" with regional allies and partners, fellow combatant commanders and the joint staff to protect America's vital national interests, deter war and if necessary, win them "quickly and decisively."

Donovan, a special operations veteran, was nominated in December, following the retirement of Adm. Alvin Holsey amid concerns over the Trump administration's actions in the region.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal said the US continues to have a massive military presence in the Caribbean after the capture of President Nicolas Maduro during a Jan. 3 military operation.

"The purpose of having that presence there was supposedly to extricate him so as to bring him to justice. Now that it has been accomplished, what is the purpose of maintaining that continuing, massive presence in the Caribbean?" Bluementhal asked.

Donovan replied that his focus would be on sustaining those assets "over time."

When asked whether he is aware of any plans to begin any strike using those assets or others, Donovan said he is not.

"I'm not privy to those plans, but I commit to you, if confirmed, I will be fully involved in any future planning," he replied.

Senators also sought clarity around the nominee's role in strategic decision making for those operations, which have drawn intense scrutiny in Congress.

"I understand that you were not involved ... of the planning around either operation Southern Spear, the boat strike operation or Operation Absolute Resolve, the Maduro extraction. Am I correct in that?" Sen. Tim Kaine asked.

"Senator, that is correct," Donovan said.

Sen. Angus King, for his part, asked what is the purpose of this "gigantic" armada that is now in the in the Caribbean, adjacent to Venezuela.

"Senator, from my current position, I'm not part of any of the planning," Donovan replied.

The Trump administration has intensified military operations in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean since September, citing efforts against narcotics trafficking.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren told Donovan that he was nominated to lead Southern Command, which would make him the commander responsible for any future military actions in Venezuela, although he would not make policy decisions, but service members will count on him to ensure that they are not asked to engage in military operations that are "not legal."

"General Donovan, is it sedition for someone in military to question whether an order is legal? Warren asked.

Donovan said when clarity was needed, he has consulted higher headquarters, collaborated with legal advisors, core staff, senior leaders, and the board of commanders, then presented his recommendations back to higher headquarters.

"I'll will ask it one more time is it sedition to question whether an order is illegal?" she asked.

"Senator, I would not use the term ‘sedition.’ I use the term -- basically our order and discipline, how we approach any situation where we have to accomplish a mission and provide the best capability for the task at hand," he said, adding that he would "never" carry out an illegal order.