Following the capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the U.S. early Saturday morning, several Florida lawmakers reacted to the latest developments.
President Donald Trump, in an early morning social media post, announced Maduro’s capture.
Before Maduro and his wife were taken into custody, the U.S. launched strikes in Venezuela.
Celebrations filled the streets of Doral hours after dozens of Venezuelans and supporters learned about the news.
Several Florida Republican lawmakers praised the Trump administration’s operation to capture Maduro.
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart on X wrote:
“Today’s action, ordered by President Trump, is what decisive leadership truly looks like. Our country has faced an unprecedented national security threat from the illegitimate Maduro regime. Unabetted for years, Maduro has sent drugs into our country, killing an untold number of Americans, kidnapped innocent Americans, flooded our country with violent cartel members from Tren de Aragua and the Cartel de los Soles, while destabilizing regional security. The regime has also allied itself with America’s enemies, Iran, China, Russia, Cuba, Hezbollah, and Hamas. It is utterly irresponsible behavior to continue; it puts our country’s security in jeopardy. While others dithered, President Trump recognized this threat for what it is and acted with resolve.”
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar also praised the effort and wrote on X:
“Thanks to the firm leadership of @POTUS and @SecRubio and to the bravery of the United States forces and troops, our hemisphere is safer today. A new stage opens for Venezuela. Long live freedom!”
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott also took to X to discuss Maduro’s captured.
Thank you, @POTUS, @SecRubio, @SecWar, and the brave members of our military who led the operation that successfully CAPTURED narco-terrorist Nicolás Maduro. A new day is here for Venezuela and Latin America. The United States and our hemisphere are safer because of President.”
Rep. Carlos Gimenez released a statement that reads in part:
“Thank you, President Donald J. Trump, for changing the course of history in our hemisphere. May God bless our brave service members and this great nation. Our country, and the world, are safer because of President Trump’s leadership, resolve, and willingness to confront evil head-on.”
“This is a historic day in Florida, home to the largest Venezuelan, Cuban, and Nicaraguan exile communities in the nation. We are forever grateful to President Trump and to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. This hemisphere will be the hemisphere of freedom.”
Former Miami Mayor Francis Suarez also shared his thoughts on X:
“For families like mine who fled communism in search of freedom, this is a moment decades in the making. It offers hope to millions who have suffered under authoritarian rule in our hemisphere.”
Democratic leaders in Florida also expressed their solidarity with Venezuelans after Maduro’s capture.
U.S. Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the the following statement:
“The capture of the brutal, illegitimate ruler of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, who oppressed Venezuela’s people is welcome news for my friends and neighbors who fled his violent, lawless, and disastrous rule. However, cutting off the head of a snake is fruitless if it just regrows. Venezuelans deserve the promise of democracy and the rule of law, not a state of endless violence and spiraling disorder. My hope is it offers a passage to true democracy and liberation. This action offers beleaguered Venezuelans a chance to seat their true, democratically elected president, Edmundo González. I’ll demand answers as to why Congress and the American people were bypassed in this effort. The absence of congressional involvement prior to this action risks the continuation of the illegitimate Venezuelan regime.”
Miami-Dade Mayor Levine Cava released the following statement on X:
“The Venezuelan people continue to show extraordinary courage in their fight for democracy. I remain deeply concerned about recent U.S. actions and steadfast in my support for Venezuelans seeking freedom, safety, and a peaceful path forward.”
Maduro and his wife are now heading to New York, where they were indicted.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro will “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”
Maduro’s political career began 40 years ago. In 1986, he traveled to Cuba to receive a year of ideological instruction, his only formal education after high school. Upon his return, he worked as a bus driver for the Caracas subway system, where he quickly became a union leader. Venezuela’s intelligence agencies in the 1990s identified him as a leftist radical with close ties to the Cuban government.
Rep. Diaz-Balart, U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody and Rep. Gimenez will hold a joint conference at 6:30 p.m.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
