In a stark warning, US Representative María Elvira Salazar has stated that the Trump administration is executing its final responsible measures to force Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power. She suggested the embattled strongman could soon face a scenario reminiscent of the US intervention in Panama.
A Final Chance for Peaceful Exit
According to Salazar, a Republican from Florida, President Donald Trump's team is offering Maduro one last opportunity to depart voluntarily. This comes after what she described as a broken promise. Salazar asserted that Maduro had pledged to President Joe Biden he would step down if he lost the 2024 election, which she claims he lost by a massive 80-20 margin. She expressed deep scepticism about the regime's intentions, stating that communists and Marxists are known to lie until confronted by superior force.
The Dual Fears of Maduro and US Military Posture
Salazar outlined the complex fears trapping Maduro. She claimed he is terrified that the over 30,000 Cuban military personnel stationed in Venezuela would kill him if he attempted to flee. Simultaneously, he understands that American forces will remove him if he stays. The congresswoman highlighted the significant US military buildup, with an estimated 15,000 American troops now positioned near Venezuela, signalling Washington's dwindling patience.
"We tried everything — every diplomatic angle," Salazar said, referencing previously failed negotiations. She framed the current stance as the beginning of the end, aimed at liberating the Western Hemisphere from drug trafficking and anti-democratic ideologies.
'Panama No. 2' and Criminal Allegations
Salazar explicitly compared the situation to past US actions, dubbing it "Panama No. 2." She argued there is a clear precedent for removing hostile foreign leaders when US national security is threatened, citing operations in Panama and Libya under administrations of both major parties. She praised Trump as the only president in decades willing to take such decisive action.
Beyond politics, Salazar levelled severe criminal accusations against Maduro. She labelled him the head of the "Cartel of the Suns" and reminded the public of his 2020 indictment by the US for drug trafficking. She accused his regime of flooding the United States with narcotics, even using submarines for covert shipments.
Opposition Readiness and the Path Forward
On the question of what follows Maduro, Salazar expressed confidence in the Venezuelan opposition. She stated that the group, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado, is prepared with a concrete 100-day plan to govern. She also noted their strong interest in forming partnerships with American oil and mineral companies to rebuild the nation's economy.
When asked if Maduro would still be in power by Christmas, Salazar replied, "Let's hope not." She concluded by saluting President Trump for having the fortitude to act, stating that while it is not easy, he is doing the right thing to prevent hostile actors like Hezbollah, Iran, or a major cartel leader from operating in America's backyard.
