María Elvira Praises Trump's Stance on Maduro: "A Clear Message to Other Nations"

In an interview with FOX, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar commended President Donald Trump for his "remarkable political courage" in confronting the regime of Nicolás Maduro.

The Cuban-American politician emphasized that Venezuelans are anticipating U.S. intervention to "regain their freedom and rid themselves of the drugs and turmoil Maduro has inflicted over the past five years."

Her remarks surfaced during heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, highlighted by Trump's directive to close the airspace over Venezuela and reports of increased military and diplomatic pressure from the United States in the region.

During the dialogue with FOX, Salazar stated that after a phone conversation between Trump and Maduro, the U.S. president "extended a courteous offer for an escape."

However, she mentioned that Maduro is receiving "orders from the Cubans not to leave," due to the fear that the Cubans, who reportedly control Venezuela, might "eliminate him" before he can relinquish power.

The congresswoman highlighted that Cubans have been directing the repressive apparatus in Venezuela for 25 years, playing a decisive role in sustaining the Chavista leader.

"This is a pivotal moment for the Trump administration," Salazar emphasized, adding that the president's actions have liberated the continent from influences such as China, Iran, Russia, and drug cartels.

"This sends a very explicit message to other nations, helping us to avoid future challenges thanks to this decisive action. Therefore, I commend President Trump for his leadership," she concluded.

Airspace Closure and Rising Pressures

Salazar's comments come amidst extraordinary measures from the White House: President Trump announced the complete closure of the airspace over and surrounding Venezuela.

This directive, seen by analysts as a high-pressure tactic and a direct warning, targets both civil aviation and potential illicit activities related to drug trafficking and human smuggling.

The airspace closure is part of a broader package of Washington's measures, which, according to international reports, includes increased U.S. naval and air presence in the Caribbean and steps to isolate the Chavista regime.

Journalistic sources have also pieced together a phone call between Trump and Maduro where, according to these reports, the U.S. president demanded the immediate departure of the Venezuelan dictator and key figures from his circle.

Following the leak about the call, the State Department designated the Cartel of the Suns as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, expanding Washington's legal and financial tools against the Chavista leadership and effectively intensifying pressure on the Caracas government.

Regional Risks and Consequences

The airspace closure and buildup of forces have raised alarms: analysts caution that this move could precede more drastic actions, including blockades or military maneuvers, with impacts beyond politics, affecting trade routes and air connections in the Caribbean and northern South America.

Caracas has responded with warnings and public mobilizations; following the news of the conversation with Trump, Nicolás Maduro called for a military march and asserted that if attacked, "we will respond with all the nation's power."

This tension unfolds as international sources, cited by the press, report on Pentagon deployments and intelligence agency activities in the region, described by some as a dual-track strategy: military pressure coupled with diplomatic and sanction-based operations.

María Elvira's statements encapsulate the perspective of the more aggressive anti-Chavista faction in the U.S.: that Maduro's ouster will only be achieved through a firm approach combining sanctions, isolation, and, if necessary, forceful measures to sever the regime's remaining supports.

The airspace closure and the Cartel of the Suns designation escalate the crisis between Washington and Caracas to a stage of maximum pressure.