El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele, revisited an old episode in Latin American politics that has gained new significance today.
In a post on X, Bukele reminded the public of the time when Nicolás Maduro mocked him from Cuba, labeling him a "lackey" and "puppet of imperialism" during a speech in Havana back in November 2019.
Bukele's post was strategic, featuring the Venezuelan flag, a clip of Maduro's verbal assault, and a globally circulated photo. The image, shared by Donald Trump, shows the Venezuelan leader detained aboard the U.S. assault ship USS Iwo Jima, allegedly headed to the United States to face federal charges.
The video, which Bukele brought back into the spotlight, captures Maduro's attack on his Salvadoran counterpart following El Salvador's decision to expel Venezuelan diplomats. Speaking at an anti-imperialist event in Cuba, the Chavista leader asserted that no "lackey" or "imperialist puppet" would succeed in dividing the peoples of Venezuela and El Salvador, drawing applause from attendees.
More than six years later, the scenario has dramatically changed. This Saturday, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are en route to New York to face federal justice.
According to Trump, both were apprehended in a military operation in Venezuela and transferred to the USS Iwo Jima, from where they will be brought to the U.S.
Trump stated that Maduro is facing charges of narco-terrorism, conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the United States, using weapons of war, and connections with criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the charges were filed in the Southern District of New York, asserting that both Maduro and Flores "will face American justice in U.S. courts."
Bukele's recollection not only revives a personal slight but underscores a historical shift that is unsettling the political allies of Castro's regime in the region.
The Salvadoran leader's post sparked immediate reactions on social media, where thousands noted the irony and symbolic weight of seeing someone who once mocked others from Cuba now facing justice outside his country.
Key Questions About Maduro's Arrest
Why did Nayib Bukele bring up Maduro's past comments now?
Bukele referenced Maduro's past insults to highlight the irony of the current situation, where Maduro, who once mocked Bukele, is now facing charges in the U.S.
What charges is Nicolás Maduro facing in the United States?
Maduro is facing charges of narco-terrorism, conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the U.S., use of weapons of war, and connections with criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua.
How has the international community reacted to Maduro's arrest?
The arrest has sparked widespread reactions, with many on social media commenting on the irony and symbolic nature of the situation, as Maduro once mocked others from Cuba.