U.S. President Donald Trump is taking the “last responsible steps” to oust Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro from power, Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) said in an interview with The New York Post on Monday (Dec. 1). She warned that the embattled leader could face a “Panama 2.0” scenario as US forces increase their presence around Venezuela.
According to Salazar, the Trump administration is offering Venezuelan leader Maduro one last chance to leave peacefully before considering stronger measures.
Maduro broke an election promise
Salazar claimed that Maduro had lost the 2024 election by a landslide, claiming, “Maduro promised President Biden he would leave if he lost the election — and he lost 80-20.
But she added: “Communists and Marxists lie until they see a greater force in front of them. Then they run away.”
Fear of Cuban forces, fear of the US
The Florida congresswoman told a reporter that Maduro fears retaliation from Cuban military agents in Venezuela: “He’s afraid that Cuban military personnel — more than 30,000 on Venezuelan soil — will kill him if he tries to leave. And he knows the Americans will take him out if he doesn’t.”
‘Panama No. 2’
Salazar praised Trump as the only president in a decade willing to take decisive action.
“The right thing is exactly what we are doing: invite him to leave or take him out, just like we did in Panama,” she said, calling the current situation “Panama No. 2.”
She argued that there is precedent for removing hostile foreign leaders when American national security is at stake: “We’ve done it before — in Panama, in Libya — under presidents of both parties.”
Criminal charges against Maduro
Calling Maduro not only a political threat, but a criminal threat, Salazar told The New York Post: “He’s the head of the Sun Cartel. He was accused of drug trafficking in 2020. He stole the election after promising free and fair elections.”
She accused the regime of using submarines and other covert methods to transport narcotics into the United States: “It floods the United States with drugs — sometimes even using submarines.”
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US forces stationed in the region
With an estimated 15,000 US troops now stationed near Venezuela, Salazar said the shift signals the end of Washington’s patience.
“We tried everything – every diplomatic angle,” she said, pointing to earlier failed negotiations.
“This is the beginning of the end. We are freeing the Western Hemisphere from the scourge of drug trafficking, communism, Marxism – people who don’t like freedom, democracy and free markets.”
The opposition is ready with a 100-day plan
Salazar said the Venezuelan opposition, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado, is ready to rule immediately. She told The Post they have a “100-day plan” and a strong interest in partnering with US oil and mineral companies.
“Will Maduro still be in power by Christmas?”
Asked if Maduro would still be in power by Christmas, Salazar said: “We hope not.”
She added: “The escalation will have a very happy ending. We cannot have Hezbollah, Iran or a major criminal cartel leader operating in our backyard. I wholeheartedly applaud President Trump for having the courage to do the right thing.”
“It’s not always easy – but he does it.”
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