Florida Republicans hail Venezuela strike, Democrats question process

Amid the Donald Trump administration announcing military action in Venezuela and the removal of leader Nicolás Maduro, Sunshine State Republicans hail the move while Democrats are more circumspect.

“A new day is here for Venezuela and Latin America. The United States and our hemisphere are safer because of President Trump’s leadership. God bless America and God bless the people of Venezuela,” said Sen. Rick Scott.

“Today’s action, ordered by President Trump, is what decisive leadership truly looks like. Our country has faced an unprecedented national security threat from the illegitimate Maduro regime. Unabetted for years, Maduro has sent drugs into our country, killing an untold number of Americans, kidnapped innocent Americans, flooded our country with violent cartel members from Tren de Aragua and the Cartel de los Soles, while destabilizing regional security. The regime has also allied itself with America’s enemies, Iran, China, Russia, Cuba, Hezbollah, and Hamas. It is utterly irresponsible behavior to continue; it puts our country’s security in jeopardy. While others dithered, President Trump recognized this threat for what it is and acted with resolve,” said U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart.

“Maduro used foreign terrorist organizations to traffic deadly drugs and violence into our country, killing countless Americans. He was one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world and a threat to our national security. This morning, he was captured. This is “Peace Through Strength.” Justice will be served,” promised U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.

“Maduro’s narco-dictatorship has ENDED. The narcoterrorist who poisoned our children, exported crime to our neighborhoods through the Tren de Aragua, and turned Venezuela into a State of terror will now face the justice of the United States. This is a direct message to the Venezuelan military: the decisive moment has arrived. History will judge your actions. Stand with the Venezuelan people, respect the mandate expressed at the ballot boxes on July 28, 2024, and guarantee a peaceful and immediate transfer of power.,” said U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar.

U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez lauded Trump “for changing the course of history in our hemisphere.”

“Our country, and the world, are safer because of President Trump’s leadership, resolve, and willingness to confront evil head-on,” Gimenez added, saying the action was “this hemisphere’s equivalent of the Fall of the Berlin Wall” and “the beginning of the end for narco-terrorist regimes that have terrorized their people, flooded our communities with deadly drugs, and destabilized the Americas.”

“The United States of America is safer today because of the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and the bravery and heroism of the American Military which again proved itself the best in the world. Best news of the night: no American casualties, a narco-terrorist Dictator in custody, and a country pacified. Trust Trump,” urged U.S. Rep. Randy Fine.

““The operation carried out last night capturing Nicolas Maduro is another win by President Trump to protect our homeland and clean up the backyard of the United States, which began on January 20, 2025. Drug lords and terrorists will no longer operate freely in our hemisphere and drugs and illegals will not flow into our country. Thank God, the American military is positioned off American shores, to protect the people of the United States of America,” said U.S. Rep. Brian Mast.

Republicans are on board in Congress, but at least one Democrat so far wonders why the administration proceeded without Legislative backing.

“Capturing the murderous Dictator Maduro is a major step towards a #VenezuelaLibre. Now there must be concerted efforts to ensure the democratically elected Edmundo Gonzalez is seated as the rightful new president. Trump’s failure to seek Congressional approval for these strikes raises serious questions about the legality of the mission. The Administration made multiple false promises that it would not invade Venezuela without Congressional consent. Congress must now conduct extensive hearings on the attack and all efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela,” said Rep. Darren Soto.

Similar divisions played out among Florida state legislators commenting on the action.

“Today, President (Trump) took decisive action to bring peace & security to our hemisphere & strike a major blow against drug cartels who profit off the death & destruction of American lives. I’m thankful to all the US personnel for their bravery & dedication to freedom,” said House Speaker Daniel Perez.

Rep. Angie Nixon noted that while Maduro’s presidency was “illegitimate,” she said that when the U.S. “rushes to strike without transparency, without following the law, and with no regard for the Venezuelan and American lives that can be lost, this makes us no different than those we claim the People of Venezuela need protection from.”

“Thank you President (Trump) for taking action to protect the safety of U.S. citizens by eliminating the dangerous narco-terrorist Maduro regime in Venezuela! We salute the bravery of our U.S. forces who executed this mission with courage,” the Republican Party of Florida said.