‘A Major Victory’: The Washington Post Gushes Over Trump’s Arrest of Maduro

The Washington Post‘s editorial board gushed over the daring operation President Donald Trump authorized to capture erstwhile Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, praising him for having achieved “Justice in Venezuela.”

“Millions of people around the world, most of all in Venezuela, are celebrating the downfall of the dictator Nicolás Maduro. President Donald Trump’s decision to capture him on Saturday is one of the boldest moves a president has made in years, and the operation was an unquestionable tactical success,” began the Post. “This is a major victory for American interests. Just hours before, supportive Chinese officials held a chummy meeting with Maduro, who had also been propped up by Russia, Cuba and Iran. No doubt millions of Venezuelans will remember who backed their oppressor and who effected his removal. The end of Maduro will be a failure if it doesn’t also corrode the influence of American adversaries in this hemisphere.”

“Maduro’s removal also sends an important message to tinpot dictators in Latin America and the world: Trump follows through. President Joe Biden offered sanctions relief to Venezuela, and Maduro responded to that show of weakness by stealing an election,” it added. “Trump had telegraphed for months that Maduro could not remain in power, yet Venezuela’s arrogantly illegitimate leader clung on. What are Iranian leaders thinking now as they consider how to respond to widespread anti-government protests? Are the communists in Cuba sleeping well?”

While its editorial was glowing, the Post still warned that “several bad outcomes remain distinct possibilities,” namely “another anti-American dictator” coming to power or the country falling into “total chaos.”

It nevertheless concluded on an optimistic note: “With tough decisions coming and many obstacles ahead, it’s fair to look forward. Yet it’s also fair to celebrate. For years, Maduro was a symbol of the false warmth of Latin American collectivism. Now he should spend the rest of his life in a humane American prison. His downfall is good news.”

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