Elvira Salazar applauds Trump for keeping 'his word' in taking action against Nicolas Maduro

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, applauded President Donald Trump for taking action against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, praising the administration along with US military and law enforcement authorities for what she described as a historic operation.

A large-scale US operation conducted on Saturday, January 3 reportedly resulted in Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being captured and transported to New York City to face federal charges.

Maria Elvira Salazar praises Donald Trump for action against Nicolas Maduro

Speaking at a press conference, Salazar said the administration’s message had been unmistakable. “The message has been very clear. President Trump kept his word,” she said.

She added that Trump showed political resolve that previous administrations lacked. “President Trump had the internal fortitude, had the political pants to do what no other president, Republican or Democrat, has done in the last 25 years,” Salazar said.

Salazar sharply criticized Maduro’s leadership, accusing him of destabilizing the region. She said no prior president had shown the determination to confront figures like Maduro, whom she blamed for harming both Venezuelans and Americans “through drugs, through terrorist attacks, through gang members, specifically Tren de Aragua."

Salazar also posted on X following the operation, declaring, “Venezuela will be FREE!”

In a longer statement shared with the post, she said, "Maduro’s dictatorship has come to an end. The narco-terrorist who poisoned our children, exported crime to our neighborhoods through the Tren de Aragua, and turned Venezuela into a state of terror will now face US justice.”

She added that the operation sent a broader signal across the region. “This extraordinary operation sends a clear message: the United States will not tolerate narco-terrorism in our hemisphere,” Salazar said, concluding with, “The Venezuelan people will never forget it."

Trump outlines Venezuela oversight plans

According to officials, Maduro and Flores first landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York before being transported by helicopter to Manhattan’s Drug Enforcement Administration office. They were later moved to Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, where Maduro was expected to face federal drug and weapons charges in Manhattan court.

Earlier, Trump released a photo showing Maduro blindfolded aboard the 'USS Iwo Jima.' During a subsequent press conference, he indicated that the United States would oversee Venezuela temporarily until what he described as a “judicious transition” could take place.

Trump also outlined plans for US oversight of Venezuela’s oil reserves and said American companies would be deployed to help rebuild the country’s energy sector, with security provided by US troops.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez rejected the US action, insisting that “Maduro is the country’s only president.” She condemned the operation as a kidnapping and demanded the immediate release of Maduro and Flores.

Venezuela later declared a national emergency, denouncing what it called “extremely serious military aggression.” Soldiers were seen patrolling parts of Caracas as small pro-Maduro gatherings formed in the capital." Meanwhile, soldiers patrolled parts of Caracas as small pro-Maduro crowds gathered.