Story perspectives

U.S. Captures Maduro; Calls for New Elections Amid Controversy

1/5/2026

Center

Cotton Advocates Venezuela Change

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said the United States must ensure Venezuela's leadership does not continue Nicolás Maduro's policies.
Nicolás Maduro was captured after U.S. airstrikes and faces federal charges in New York.
U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a temporary administration in Venezuela and called for new elections.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) criticized the operation as illegal under international law, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said it serves oil interests.

Right

Rubio Challenges Venezuela

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez lacks legitimacy after U.S. operation that captured Nicolás Maduro.
He argues elections are needed to establish a legitimate government, noting support from 60 countries.
Rubio says U.S. President Donald Trump would use an oil quarantine to pressure Venezuela for reforms.
The United States has not yet decided whom to support, considering María Corina Machado and Edmundo González.

Left

Rubio Defends Operation

Marco Rubio expressed frustration about questions surrounding the U.S. operation that captured Nicolás Maduro while leaving his regime intact.
He defended the mission's complexity, asserting that capturing multiple targets at once would have been impractical.
Rubio praised the operation as a significant success, noting the challenges faced by U.S. forces.
Host Margaret Brennan pressed him about the absence of action against other indicted Maduro officials, questioning the operation's scope.

History

Historical Context

In January 2019, Juan Guaidó was declared interim president of Venezuela by the National Assembly, challenging Nicolás Maduro's regime. The U.S. recognized Guaidó, rallying support from 60 countries amid a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by economic mismanagement and sanctions. This intervention reflects a historical pattern of U.S. involvement in Latin America, often driven by interests in oil and democracy promotion.

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Cotton Advocates Venezuela Change

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said the United States must ensure Venezuela's leadership does not continue Nicolás Maduro's policies.
Nicolás Maduro was captured after U.S. airstrikes and faces federal charges in New York.
U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a temporary administration in Venezuela and called for new elections.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) criticized the operation as illegal under international law, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said it serves oil interests.

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