Moreno Commends Trump and Hegseth for Maduro’s Capture

Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) expressed strong support for President Donald Trump and Army Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding their successful operation to apprehend Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. He described the mission as “the perfect execution of a very difficult mission.”

In an interview with a news outlet, Moreno shared that he got briefed by Hegseth following the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, which took place early Saturday morning. “Matt, I would say this is a perfect execution and demonstration of what America First means,” he said. Moreno praised the incredible performance of U.S. military personnel during the operation, stating, “we’re going to complete a very difficult mission with absolute perfection.” He emphasized the importance of having a president who is unwilling to tolerate threats against American citizens.

Moreno labeled Maduro a narco-terrorist, justifying his arrest by claiming he was responsible for countless American deaths. “He smuggled poison into our country,” he remarked, adding that the number of criminals and gang members entering the U.S. from Venezuela was significant.

The arrests happened shortly after Venezuela declared a state of emergency following bombings in the capital, Caracas. Moreno mentioned that Maduro had a $50 million bounty placed against him by U.S. authorities due to drug-related terrorism charges.

Maduro was expected to appear in court in the Southern District of New York on multiple drug and weapons charges. President Trump affirmed, “Mr. Maduro and his wife will soon face the full force of American justice.” He reassured that Maduro would never again pose a threat to U.S. citizens or Venezuelan nationals.

Moreno added that Trump is consistent and resolute in his actions, highlighting that the president had been pressuring Maduro throughout December to relinquish control. The senator expressed hope that the dictator’s capture would lead to a decrease in illegal immigration and gang activity in the U.S.

Concluding his remarks, Moreno suggested that the day of Maduro’s arrest was “probably the most important day for Latin America in over 100 years.”

Interestingly, this event occurred just days after Moreno had predicted that Maduro would be ousted by the year’s end.

He reiterated that the U.S. would not tolerate narco-terrorists and promised that such individuals would be dealt with as they have been in the past. “I do not believe he will be president beyond the end of this year,” Moreno stated during a previous summit.