U.S. lawmakers react after Trump announces Venezuela operation
Reactions from U.S. lawmakers poured in after the Trump administration announced strikes on Venezuela and the capture of the country's president.
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Reactions from U.S. lawmakers poured in after the Trump administration announced strikes on Venezuela and the capture of the country's president.
"We spent decades and decades and purchased in blood, and got nothing economically in return, and President Trump flips the script," Pete Hegseth said.
An indictment charging Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with drug trafficking was unsealed Saturday.
Venezuelans gathered outside El Arepazo in Doral, calling the moment historic after President Trump said Nicolas Maduro was captured and removed from Venezuela.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and other top figures condemned the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, posing a potential challenge to President Trump's suggestion that the U.S. will "run" Venezuela.
President Trump said the U.S. would "run the country" of Venezuela until "a safe, proper and judicious transition," following the U.S. military operation that captured Nicolás Maduro.
The U.S. military operation capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has disrupted Caribbean travel.
South Florida leaders reacted after President Trump said Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro was captured, while Cuba and Colombia criticized the move and urged restraint.
Congressman Carlos Gimenez said he supports the president’s actions in Venezuela and believes the next step must be a peaceful, democratic transition, not chaos or another dictatorship, with elections that reflect the will of the Venezuelan people and the leadership of opposition figure María Corina Machado.
María Corina Machado said Nicolás Maduro will "face international justice for the atrocious crimes" he has committed.
CBS News Miami's Jim DeFede says the expanded indictment against Nicolas Maduro, naming his wife, son and senior officials, underscores the depth of alleged corruption and leaves uncertainty about who will wield power in Venezuela after his removal.
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Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins said the removal the Venezuelan leader offers hope for Venezuelans in South Florida while renewing her call for President Trump to reinstate TPS.
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In recent weeks, the U.S. has seized two oil tankers off Venezuela, launched deadly strikes on more than 30 boats the administration says were carrying drugs. CBS News Miami's Jim DeFede discusses past relations with Latin American countries and how oil is central to the current issues.
“After about 30 years of an abusive government, we can now be happy with the fall of Nicolás Maduro,” said Valeria Morillo, who still has family in Caracas, Venezuela. “We cannot wait to be back together again after about 10 years, to celebrate the fall.”
The U.S. government has sought Maduro's arrest for years. He was indicted by a U.S. court in March 2020, accused along with more than a dozen other individuals of narco-terrorism. Last summer, the Trump administration doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro's capture to $50 million.
FIU professor of Latin American Politics Eduardo Gamarra said, “The reality is, with Nicolás Maduro gone, there is no, let’s call them, a head of state.”
Rubio re-posted a statement he made in July of 2025, which said, “Maduro is NOT the President of Venezuela and his regime is NOT the legitimate government.”
Journalist Mary Mena, who is in Caracas, said most people have decided to remain at home after overnight strikes and the capture of Maduro and his wife. She said the country may declare of state of emergency.
CBS News Miami's political reporter Jim DeFede breaks down the past indictment against Maduro following his capture by the U.S. government.
Venezuelans gathered outside El Arepazo in Doral, calling the removal of Nicolas Maduro an emotional turning point and a long-awaited step toward freedom for their homeland.
In a pretaped interview on state TV, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro evaded a question about a U.S. strike at a docking area that the Trump administration believed was used by drug cartels.
Three people were killed Tuesday when the first boat was hit, while individuals in two other boats jumped overboard, according to U.S. Southern Command.
President Trump said the U.S. hit a "big facility" last week linked to alleged drug boat operations, as tensions ratchet up with Venezuela.
For some Iranians living in South Florida, the military strikes conducted by the U.S. and Israeli military in Iran over the weekend makes them hopeful for the future.
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For some Iranians living in South Florida, the military strikes conducted by the U.S. and Israeli military in Iran over the weekend makes them hopeful for the future.
A passionate group of regulars, bartenders, and owners are rallying to preserve the spirit and culture of the beloved dive bar.
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