Republicans Largely Back Trump’s Reported Capture of Venezuela’s Maduro, With Few GOP Dissenters

Republican reactions to reports that U.S. forces arrested and a federal grand jury indicted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro were broadly supportive, with most GOP lawmakers praising the operation as a decisive move against narcotrafficking and a boost to hemispheric security. Only a small number of Republicans publicly questioned the legality and priorities of the action.

Party Response: Broad Support, Limited Dissent

Many of President Trump’s staunchest allies and Republicans who favor a hawkish Latin America policy applauded the reported operation. They described it as an important strike against drug-trafficking networks and a demonstration of U.S. resolve in the hemisphere.

Notable Republican Critics

A few GOP lawmakers voiced legal and policy concerns. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) questioned the constitutional basis and priorities of the operation. Massie noted on X that "If this action were constitutionally sound, the Attorney General wouldn’t be tweeting that they’ve arrested the President of a sovereign country and his wife for possessing guns in violation of a 1934 U.S. firearm law," and added that the 25-page indictment made no mention of fentanyl or stolen oil. Greene argued the move resembled regime change and contradicted the anti-interventionist impulses of parts of the MAGA movement.

Florida Delegation Among the Most Vocal Supporters

Florida Republicans — representing large Venezuelan, Cuban and Nicaraguan exile and diaspora communities — were among the most enthusiastic. Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the operation "another win" in efforts to "protect our homeland." Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-Fla.) praised it as "decisive leadership," and Rep. Carlos Giménez (R-Fla.) likened the moment to a geopolitical turning point for affected communities.

"Drug lords and terrorists will no longer operate freely in our hemisphere," Mast wrote on X.

Senior GOP Leadership and Historical Comparisons

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) described the reported capture as "an amazing achievement" and criticized Democrats who opposed or questioned the operation. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) compared the action to the 1990 U.S. capture of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, arguing it signaled U.S. determination to prevent cartels from controlling neighboring countries. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) also commended the administration.

Legal, International And Political Considerations

Democrats largely balanced acknowledging alleged abuses by Maduro with strong criticism of what many described as an extrajudicial or legally dubious use of U.S. military power beyond national and international legal norms. A handful of Republicans echoed those concerns, questioning whether the operation complied with constitutional and international law and whether it adequately focused on the fentanyl crisis cited by the administration.

Indictment And Next Steps

The administration unveiled a superseding indictment against Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, that builds on narco-terrorism charges first brought in 2020. The move is likely to intensify political debate in Washington about executive authority, international law, and U.S. priorities in counter-narcotics and foreign policy.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.