Tom Cotton says Venezuelan leaders must break from Maduro-era policies
When asked if individuals tied to Nicolás Maduro’s regime still in place in the government will cut their narco-terrorism ties, Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Sen. Tom Cotton says President Trump “wants to give them a chance to turn a new page.”
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) January 4, 2026
“We've got to make sure that… pic.twitter.com/X74NHKT0q1
WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Tom Cotton said on Sunday, January 4, that Venezuela’s future leadership must not continue the policies of deposed President Nicolás Maduro, as the United States moves forward following Maduro’s capture.
The Arkansas Republican outlined Washington’s expectations for political reform, security cooperation and elections in the South American country.
Cotton also rejected claims that US actions in Venezuela were linked to a geopolitical trade-off involving Russia and Ukraine. His remarks came as President Donald Trump detailed plans for US involvement in Venezuela’s transition and reconstruction.
Tom Cotton claims free and fair elections will take time
Speaking on CBS’s 'Face the Nation', Sen Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the US must ensure that Venezuela’s governing institutions do not remain aligned with Nicolás Maduro’s policies following his removal.
“The US has to make sure the people that are in charge of the apparatus of the Venezuelan government are not going to continue Nicolás Maduro’s ways,” Cotton stated.
Cotton said President Trump wants to give Venezuela’s leadership an opportunity to change direction while advancing US policy objectives.
“President Trump wants to give them a chance to turn the page in Venezuela and to help America achieve our policy goals there,” he said.
“We want them to stop the d**g and weapons t*********g,” Cotton said. “We want them to kick out the Iranians, the Cubans, the I*****c radicals... and just return to being a normal nation that will help build stability, order and prosperity, not just in Venezuela but in our backyard.”
Cotton said the US views new elections as an important long-term objective, though he cautioned that such a process would take time.
“In some period of time, it probably is not going to be days or weeks, maybe a number of months, that you can have new elections in Venezuela that are free and fair,” he claimed.
He added that he hoped political exiles, including Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado, would be allowed to return to the country as part of a transition process.
Tom Cotton rejects link between Venezuela action and Russia-Ukraine
Cotton also dismissed suggestions that US action in Venezuela was connected to any understanding involving Russia and Ukraine.
Addressing speculation that Russia might abandon support for Venezuela in exchange for reduced US backing of Ukraine, Cotton stated that no such arrangement exists.
“There’s no such implication here at all,” Cotton said. “Russia doesn’t need any kind of pretext to do so. It’s invaded Ukraine twice over the last 11 years.”
He added that the US operation in Venezuela was conducted independently.
“This is an operation the United States conducted on our own, without any coordination or cooperation from other countries to advance our national interest, which is to stop the d*** t*********g and stop Venezuela from cooperating with countries like Russia and China and Cuba and Iran,” he said.
