Rogers praises military's successful capture of Venezuelan dictator

January 3, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL03), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement applauding the successful military mission to arrest Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. Rogers said that he expects a full committee briefing on the operation this week.

"I commend President Trump for taking decisive action to bring Nicolás Maduro to justice," said Rogers. "His illegitimate regime brutalized the Venezuelan people, aligned with hostile adversaries like Cuba, Iran, Russia, and China to threaten U.S. security, and operated a narco-terrorist network that flooded our country with deadly drugs that killed countless Americans. I am grateful to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who once again demonstrated the exceptional skill and capability of the U.S. military."

Rogers said that Maduro's captures marks a return to the Monroe Doctrine.

"For many years I've raised criticisms about the U.S. abdicating enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine, which has been in place for two centuries," said Rogers. "I'm pleased to see President Trump reassert that doctrine today by sending an unmistakable message to our adversaries that we will not allow malign influence and threats to the American people go unchecked in our hemisphere."

Following Maduro's arrest, thousands of Venezuelans in the U.S. poured into the streets for spontaneous celebrations. Over 770,000 Venezuelans live in the U.S.(2023 estimate) – most of them fleeing persecution by Maduro and his predecessor's (Hugo Chavez) corrupt communist regimes. Chavez seized farms, ranches, businesses, corporations, and even private homes in their effort to emulate the communist regime in Cuba. Thousands of Venezuelans suffered imprisonment by Maduro and his minions.

Based on the most recent data from human‑rights organizations:

Approximately 720 political prisoners remain in custody in Venezuela as of early 2026.

Another report from February 2025 counted 1,196 political prisoners, including civilians and military personnel.

Since 2014, 18,612 people have been arrested by Maduro's government for political reasons. There were mass arrests after the 2024 election, an election widely viewed as having been fraudulent. Following the disputed July 2024 presidential election, more than 2,000 people were detained for protesting or for supporting the opposition.

More than 9,000 Venezuelans remain under arbitrary restrictions on their freedom (travel bans, mandatory check‑ins, etc.) even if not currently jailed.

Millions of Venezuelans have suffered from chronic shortages of basic foodstuffs due to government mismanagement of the economy.'

Maduro and his wife are now being held in New York and have been charged with heading a narco-terror organization.

Delcy Rodríguez, the Vice President since 2018, is now the acting President of Venezuela. She has also held major roles in the Maduro regime, including Foreign Minister, President of the Constituent Assembly, and Minister of Petroleum. She is a hardline socialist and longtime Chavisto. He brother is the head of the national assembly in Venezuela.

Congressman Rogers has represented the Third Congressional District since his election in 2002. He previously served the people of Calhoun County in the Alabama Legislature and as county commissioner.

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