Removing the Tyrant Maduro
RM
Nicolás Maduro's rule over Venezuela stands as a stark example of how authoritarianism, corruption, socialism and narco-trafficking can devastate a nation. Once a prosperous oil-rich country, Venezuela under Maduro became a symbol of economic ruin and international criminality.
His regime not only crippled the domestic economy but also facilitated the shipment of vast quantities of drugs to the United States, contributing to a public health crisis that has claimed hundreds of thousands of American lives.
Aligned with anti-democratic powers like Iran, Cuba, Russia, and China, Maduro operated as a drug tyrant whose downfall, orchestrated by President Donald Trump through a decisive military operation on January 3, 2026, marks a resounding victory for democracy and justice.
Maduro's ascent to power in 2013, following the death of Hugo Chávez, accelerated Venezuela's economic collapse. Inheriting a system strained by socialist policies, Maduro implemented disastrous macroeconomic measures that ignored basic economic principles. During the global commodity boom of the 2000s and early 2010s, his government failed to save oil revenues or diversify the economy, instead relying on unsustainable subsidies and price controls.
When oil prices plummeted in 2015, the lack of maintenance and investment in the state oil company, PDVSA, led to a sharp drop in production. The result was hyperinflation, chronic shortages of food and medicine, and widespread poverty. By 2023, living standards had fallen by 74%, with nearly 82% of Venezuelans living in poverty and 53% in extreme poverty. This economic mismanagement triggered one of the largest migration exoduses in modern history, with over 7.7 million people fleeing the country, further hollowing out its workforce and society.
Compounding this internal devastation was Maduro's deep involvement in international drug trafficking. As leader of the "Cartel de los Soles," a narco-trafficking organization embedded within Venezuela's military and government, Maduro oversaw the export of thousands of tons of cocaine to the United States over more than two decades.
This illicit trade enriched his regime while fueling the U.S. opioid epidemic, where cocaine and related substances have played a role in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Federal prosecutors have detailed how Maduro and his inner circle abused their power to protect and promote drug shipments, turning Venezuela into a narco-state that directly harmed American communities.
These actions not only violated international law but also undermined global security by partnering with violent cartels.The legitimacy of the U.S. response was underscored by a longstanding federal indictment against Maduro. Unsealed in 2020 and expanded in subsequent years, the charges include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
The indictment accuses Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, and others of corrupting Venezuelan institutions to facilitate drug trafficking, enriching themselves while enabling the flow of narcotics that have devastated lives across borders. This legal foundation provided a clear basis for action, highlighting Maduro's role as a criminal actor rather than a legitimate head of state.Maduro's tyranny was further bolstered by alliances with authoritarian regimes that shared his disdain for democratic norms.
He forged close ties with Iran, allowing it to evade sanctions through oil trades and military cooperation. Cuba provided intelligence and security support, embedding advisers in Venezuela's repressive apparatus. Russia and China offered financial lifelines through loans and investments, while also using Venezuela as a foothold to challenge U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.
These partnerships enabled Maduro to sustain his grip on power amid domestic crises, turning Venezuela into a proxy for global anti-democratic forces. Such alignments not only prolonged suffering in Venezuela but also posed broader threats to regional stability.
On January 3, 2026, President Donald Trump decisively ended this era of oppression. In a large-scale military operation dubbed "Operation Absolute Resolve," U.S. forces conducted precision strikes in Caracas and captured Maduro and his wife from their residence. They were swiftly flown out of the country aboard the U.S. warship Iwo Jima and transported to New York to face justice on the outstanding charges.
Trump announced the success of the mission, emphasizing that it was conducted in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement to dismantle the narco-regime. This bold action removed Maduro from power, fulfilling promises to hold accountable those who traffic drugs into the United States and undermine democracy.
The response in Venezuela has been one of overwhelming joy and relief. Across Caracas and other cities, people have poured into the streets, dancing, chanting "Libertad!" and waving flags in spontaneous celebrations. Fireworks lit up the night sky, and crowds gathered in plazas like Bolivar Square, hugging strangers and playing music from balconies.
Venezuelan communities abroad, particularly in South Florida's Doral and cities like Santiago, Chile, and Madrid, Spain, mirrored this euphoria with rallies, cheers, and tears of happiness. For many, this marks the end of decades of oppression, hyperinflation, and starvation under Maduro's rule.
In removing Maduro, President Trump has delivered a pivotal victory for democracy over tyranny. By severing Venezuela from its alliances with Iran, Cuba, Russia, and China, this operation restores sovereignty to the Venezuelan people and strengthens hemispheric security.
It reaffirms that no regime can align with adversaries, traffic drugs, and destroy lives without consequence. As Venezuelans dance in the streets, the world witnesses the dawn of a freer, more prosperous era—one where democracy prevails.
Oregon Senator and extremist Jeff Merkley put out a comment condemning Trump for this victory that aligned him with antisemite Mamdani in New York as well as Russia and China. He is once again on the wrong side of history because of his Trump hatred as Venezuelans celebrate in the streets of Caracas
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