U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a statement after the U.S. military conducted strikes against Venezuela and captured Nicolás Maduro for trial in the United States on criminal charges.
Senator Cruz stated, “The Venezuelan regime has for decades posed an acute threat to the national security of the United States and the safety and security of Americans, and Nicolás Maduro himself was a corrupt dictator and thug who systematically oppressed the people of Venezuela and threatened America and our allies. Domestically, he was straightforwardly illegitimate. Internationally, he supported American enemies across the globe, Islamist terrorists, and narcoterrorists.
“Maduro facilitated, enabled, and profited from flooding the United States with drugs that injured and killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. Removing him from power will save countless lives and serve as a warning to all others targeting Americans.
“From the opening months of my time serving in the Senate, I have worked to counter Maduro’s threat to the American people, secure legitimate rule in Venezuela, and restore the country as an American ally within the Western Hemisphere.
“I applaud President Trump for his leadership, and I am deeply grateful to our servicemembers for their execution of this operation. Heidi and I are praying in thanks and for the quick and full recovery of our injured.”
Ted Cruz has held his seat since 2012 after defeating Paul Sadler with 56.5% of votes to Sadler's 40.6%. He won reelection in 2018 against Beto O'Rourke by a margin of 50.9% to 48.3%, and again in 2024 against Colin Allred with 53.1% over Allred's 44.6%.
