In a development that might lift conservative spirits, deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro now finds himself enduring the rather egregious hospitality of the Brooklyn Detention Center. This esteemed establishment has previously played host to figures like Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried and currently houses another notable, Luigi Mangione, an alleged healthcare CEO assassin. Oh, what an illustrious fellowship. Despite the geographical proximity to her district, it seems certain political figures have publicly aired their discomfort with this particular operation.
Unlike those who appear to have difficulty understanding the harm inflicted by Maduro, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis remains undeterred. She voices support for seeing justice served against a man who distributed misery through drug cartels, wreaking havoc on both his own people and countless Americans. The congresswoman is clear-headed about Maduro’s tyrannical reign, which was never shy about cozy alliances with not only drug lords but some of the world’s favorite adversaries like China, Russia, and Hezbollah. It’s perplexing, then, why anyone might condemn the U.S. for finally apprehending him.
More surprising, perhaps, is the newly elected Mayor of New York City, Zohorn Mamdani, who appears rather taken aback by the whole affair. Perhaps the memo about Maduro’s sunny track record didn’t quite find its way to his desk. The mayor’s opposition to “regime change” and his bewilderment over international law violations sound amusingly misdirected, given the very real torment Maduro inflicted on his own people. The congresswoman suggests that perhaps a casual chat with one of the many Venezuelans in New York might offer the mayor some refreshing insights.
The irony here is compelling. Venezuela, once a rich nation now reduced to hardship by socialist policies, mirrors the concern that similar blueprints might be uncomfortably close to being imposed upon New York itself. Is it purely coincidental that a new Democratic Socialist mayor finds himself on the wrong side of a dictator’s takedown? There’s a rich narrative here about how socialism, despite its frequent downfalls, seems to have ardent disciples in unexpected places.
In Washington, it seems not all are clapping for this decisive action either. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer raises concerns about lawfulness, juxtaposed amusingly with examples from history where such actions have been justified, actions like those in Panama against Noriega under George H.W. Bush’s watch. Painting this operation as flawless, supporters argue that removing Maduro without shedding military blood was a testament to precision. That experts from the liberal bench would align with adversaries like China and Cuba is indeed baffling. Yet, while some debate irrelevancies, Venezuelans around the world celebrate a moment that promises hope after years under a man they never chose. Such images of joy perhaps speak louder than any misplaced diplomatic indignation.
