In a decisive military operation that has drawn widespread Republican support, U.S. forces have captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a strike against Venezuela. The operation, which took place overnight on Saturday, has been characterized by GOP lawmakers as a historic moment with far-reaching implications for the Western Hemisphere.

Republican Representative Carlos Gimenez of Florida, whose district includes many Venezuelan refugees, was among the first to praise the action after speaking with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In a statement posted on X, Gimenez declared: “President Trump has changed the course of history in our hemisphere. Our country & the world are safer for it. Today’s decisive action is this hemisphere’s equivalent to the Fall of the Berlin Wall.”

The operation appears to have been a closely guarded mission, with key congressional members being briefed only after its completion. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, confirmed he had also spoken with Rubio about the situation.

“The interim government in Venezuela must now decide whether to continue the drug trafficking and colluding with adversaries like Iran and Cuba or whether to act like a normal nation and return to the civilized world,” Cotton stated, urging Venezuelan authorities to “choose wisely” in the wake of Maduro’s capture.

The military action has united most Republican lawmakers behind President Trump, though some initially expressed constitutional concerns. Senator Mike Lee of Utah initially questioned the legal basis for the operation in the absence of a formal declaration of war or congressional authorization. However, after consulting with Rubio, Lee appeared satisfied that the action was justified.

“Rubio informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant,” Lee explained. He concluded that the operation “likely falls within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack.”

Representative Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, who chairs the House subcommittee responsible for State Department funding, offered a particularly scathing assessment of Maduro’s rule. “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,” he stated.

The capture of Maduro represents a significant development in U.S.-Venezuela relations, which have deteriorated significantly during Maduro’s tenure. Venezuela has experienced severe economic collapse under his leadership, with hyperinflation, widespread poverty, and a refugee crisis that has seen millions flee the country.

Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chávez in 2013, has been accused of numerous human rights violations, election fraud, and corruption. The United States and many other countries recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president in 2019, though Maduro maintained control of government institutions and the military.

The U.S. has previously imposed numerous sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector and government officials, but this direct military action represents a dramatic escalation in American efforts to remove Maduro from power.

While Republican lawmakers have overwhelmingly endorsed the operation, reactions from Democrats and the international community remain to be seen. The operation could have significant implications for regional stability and U.S. relationships throughout Latin America.

According to reports, Maduro will face criminal charges in the United States, though specific details about the charges and his expected extradition timeline have not yet been released.