Elon Musk says 'long overdue prosperity' awaits Venezuela following fall of Nicolas Maduro

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Elon Musk wasted no time celebrating Nicolas Maduro's capture on Saturday, January 3. Following the dramatic overnight raid by US forces, the Tesla CEO took to X to offer a hopeful prediction for the destabilized nation.

"Long overdue prosperity is coming for the people of Venezuela," Musk wrote in a concise one-liner. 

Personal insults mark Elon Musk’s feud with Nicolas Maduro

Musk’s comments follow a period of intensified criticism that began in August 2024, after Venezuela’s disputed presidential election.

At that time, Musk had reportedly published more than 50 posts about Maduro, characterizing the election outcome as “major election fraud” and referring to the leader as “Dictator Maduro.”

Previous interactions also involved personal disparagement, with Musk comparing Maduro to a "donkey."

Congress calls the strike 'decisive' 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune issued a statement praising the mission as a necessary step to disrupt an "unacceptable status quo."

Thune noted that he had been briefed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing that the apprehension was executed through a "valid Department of Justice warrant" to bring Maduro to justice for his alleged crimes.

House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed these sentiments after speaking with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Johnson termed the operation "decisive and justified," asserting that removing Maduro would ultimately "protect American lives".

'Hoping and praying' for a fresh start 

Senators Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul also weighed in, viewing the capture as a turning point for the region. Graham expressed optimism for the future of the Venezuelan population.

"We will be more prosperous and safer for it. I am hoping and praying that the Venezuelan people will soon have a fresh start on democracy and freedom," Graham wrote.

Rand Paul, while focusing his critique on the failures of the country's socialist economic model, argued that "few Venezuelans... will or should mourn the removal of Nicolas Maduro from power".

Bipartisan support emerges 

Support for the strike extended beyond the GOP hardliners. Rep Adam Smith told reporters on Capitol Hill that he was "glad" the US conducted the operation, noting that "Americans have died" because of the Maduro regime's actions.

Meanwhile, Rep Don Bacon of Nebraska called the move "great for the future of Venezuelans and the region."

However, he tempered his praise with a note of caution, warning that other "dictators will try to exploit this to rationalize their selfish objectives" in the geopolitically sensitive aftermath.