US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has launched a sharp attack against Vice President Kamala Harris and fellow Democrats for their criticism of the American military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The raid, conducted by US special forces early Saturday, successfully detained Maduro and his wife, who are now facing federal charges in the United States.
Political Firestorm Erupts After Operation
The dramatic arrest of the Venezuelan leader, codenamed Operation Absolute Reserve, triggered an immediate and fierce political debate in Washington. Kamala Harris was among the first to condemn the action, taking to social media platform X to voice her disapproval.
"That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise," Harris wrote. She drew parallels to past conflicts, suggesting the mission was motivated by oil interests and former President Donald Trump's "desire to play the regional strongman."
Rubio's Rebuttal and the $25 Million Reward
Appearing on Sunday news programmes, Marco Rubio forcefully rejected Harris's allegations. He argued that the United States does not need Venezuela's oil but acted to prevent the country's vast reserves from falling into the hands of adversaries. Rubio pointed to a longstanding $25 million reward for Maduro's capture, issued by the Biden administration in 2020.
"In the Biden administration, they had a $25 million reward for [Maduro’s] capture," Rubio stated. "So, we have a reward for his capture, but we’re not going to enforce it? That’s the difference between President Trump and everybody else … President Trump did something about it." The reward was offered after Maduro was indicted on charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
Following the operation, Donald Trump praised the efficiency of US troops, stating they breached defences "in a matter of seconds." The 63-year-old Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were swiftly transported to the US and are currently held at the Brooklyn Detention Center awaiting trial.
Past Remarks and a Contested Presidency
The arrest has resurfaced past political statements. A 2020 post by then-candidate Joe Biden on X criticised Trump's approach, saying, "Trump talks tough on Venezuela, but admires thugs and dictators like Nicolas Maduro. As President, I will stand with the Venezuelan people and for democracy."
Nicolás Maduro rose to power in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez. His victory in the disputed 2018 presidential election was widely contested, leading Venezuela's National Assembly to declare his presidency illegitimate in 2019. The recent US operation marks a significant escalation in the long-standing political confrontation between Washington and Caracas.
