WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Derrick Van Orden, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL who conducted counternarcotics operations in Venezuela and serves on the House Armed Services Committee’s Special Operations Subcommittee, released the following statement on the lawful detention and capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro:
“This operation sends a clear message to America’s adversaries: harming U.S. citizens carries consequences.
Nicolás Maduro operated as a narco-terrorist under the false cover of political authority. His criminal network helped fuel the drug trafficking that has killed thousands of Americans. He is now detained and no longer in a position to threaten American lives.
President Trump’s decisive leadership made this possible. His administration has made it clear that America will no longer tolerate narco-terrorists who profit from the deaths of our citizens.”
