State Politicians React To Capture Of Venezuela’s Maduro

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was arraigned in a New York court Monday on charges of terrorism and narcotrafficking. The South American leader and his wife were captured early Saturday morning in a raid by U.S. military special forces as Venezuelan cities including the capital of Caracas were shelled. 

West Virginia politicians were quick to react to Maduro’s capture over the weekend.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey released a statement Saturday evening applauding President Donald Trump and his national security team for holding Maduro accountable for his role in the global drug trade.

“A global narco-terrorist, Nicolás Maduro has enabled drug trafficking operations that have fueled violence, addiction, and death across the United States, including here in West Virginia. These networks have pushed deadly narcotics into our communities and torn apart too many families,” Morrisey said.

“West Virginia has buried far too many sons and daughters lost to fentanyl and other lethal drugs. Actions that disrupt the global supply chains responsible for that suffering are a step toward protecting our people, and sending a clear message that those who profit from poisoning Americans will be held to account.”

West Virginia’s congressional delegation echoed the governor’s sentiment.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito posted a message on social media Saturday applauding “the brave military, law enforcement, and intelligence community personnel who made this operation happen.”

“I thank President Donald J. Trump for finally taking action to bring this narco-terrorist thug to justice for his crimes, and I look forward to receiving a full briefing in the coming days,” Capito wrote. 

Capito reiterated her support for the strikes Monday, repeating statements from Secretary of State Marco Rubio via X. 

“[Rubio] is right. This is our hemisphere, and we cannot allow a narco-terrorist dictator to use his illegitimate presidency to traffick drugs into our country and kill Americans,” Capito wrote. “I am glad that @POTUS took strong and decisive action to put an end to this.”

Capito and Sen. Jim Justice both called into question the validity of Maduro’s leadership and highlighted his role in the state’s drug epidemic.

“Maduro has not only illegitimately ruled over Venezuela and its people, but has enabled cartels to harm Americans through state-sponsored drug trafficking into our country – including West Virginia,” Justice wrote.

Rep. Riley Moore wrote on X that American leaders had neglected their own backyard for too long.

“Narco-traffickers like Nicolas Maduro took advantage, sending a constant stream of poison into our country, killing Americans and destroying communities, and giving our enemies like China, Russia, and Iran a strategic foothold in our hemisphere,” Moore wrote. “No more. This is America’s backyard and we’ll defend it. Do not test @POTUS’ resolve.”

The West Virginia Democratic Party – in contrast – in a statement condemned the Trump administration’s actions for committing the U.S. to an uncertain role in South America with no clear mission, no defined end, and no authorization from Congress.

“When President Trump ran for office he promised peace, an end to foreign entanglements, and an America First foreign policy,” the statement reads. “Instead, he has delivered the very thing he claimed to oppose: another open-ended commitment to intervene in another nation’s affairs, with American taxpayers footing the bill and American lives potentially on the line.”