U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R) issued a statement following the overnight U.S. military strikes against the Venezuelan regime and the capture of Nicolas Maduro, who is expected to stand trial in the United States on criminal charges.
Cruz, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described the operation as a decisive blow against what he called a long-standing threat to U.S. national security and regional stability.
"The Venezuelan regime has for decades posed an acute threat to the national security of the United States and the safety and security of Americans, and Nicolas Maduro himself was a corrupt dictator and thug who systematically oppressed the people of Venezuela and threatened America and our allies," said Cruz.
According to the Texas lawmaker, Maduro played a central role in facilitating narco trafficking operations that flooded the United States with illegal drugs, contributing to widespread addiction and loss of life.
"Maduro facilitated, enabled, and profited from flooding the United States with drugs that injured and killed hundreds of thousands of Americans," said Cruz. "Removing him from power will save countless lives and serve as a warning to all others targeting Americans."
He emphasized that Maduro's rule lacked legitimacy both domestically and internationally, arguing that his removal opens the door for restoring democratic governance in Venezuela and rebuilding the country's relationship with the United States and its allies.
He noted that countering the Maduro Regime has been a priority throughout his tenure in the Senate.
Cruz also credited President Donald Trump for authorizing the operation and praised U.S. servicemembers for carrying it out. He further expressed gratitude for the mission's execution and offered prayers for those injured during the operation.
