Oregon Congressman Cliff Bentz issued a formal statement addressing recent events in Venezuela following a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation, which occurred during the night of January 2, followed months of preparation and concluded after approximately 150 minutes, according to information outlined in the statement.
Bentz began by acknowledging the role of U.S. service members and intelligence personnel involved in the mission. “I want to thank the brave men and women of the United States military, and our intelligence services, for their work in completing this mission with outstanding skill, courage, and professionalism,” he stated. The congressman characterized the operation as a decisive action authorized by President Donald Trump and framed it as part of a broader effort to address long-standing security and criminal concerns tied to Venezuela’s leadership.
In his remarks, Bentz described Maduro as the successor to former Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez and accused the current regime of operating a narco-terrorist network for decades. According to Bentz, this network has played a significant role in exporting illicit drugs, particularly cocaine, contributing to widespread harm within the United States. He asserted that these activities have destroyed lives and fueled instability well beyond Venezuela’s borders.
The congressman also attributed Venezuela’s severe economic and social conditions to what he described as regime mismanagement, corruption, and disregard for human rights. In his statement, Bentz said these factors have contributed to widespread hardship inside the country and have driven what he identified as the largest refugee crisis in the Western Hemisphere. He linked the capture of Maduro to ongoing U.S. efforts aimed at disrupting drug trafficking routes and cutting off oil revenues that, he claimed, have helped sustain Maduro’s hold on power.
Bentz addressed concerns about governance and stability following the removal of Venezuela’s president. He emphasized that the existing system of government was left intact in order to avoid sudden collapse. “Leaving Venezuela’s system of government in place while removing Maduro avoids creating a power vacuum which could easily throw the country into chaos,” Bentz said, adding that such a scenario could be exploited by actors he suggested might pose even greater risks than the prior regime. While acknowledging that Venezuela’s authoritarian structure is undesirable, he stated that it was “necessarily left in place” to prevent further instability.
Looking ahead, Bentz outlined what he described as the administration’s strategy for influencing future developments in Venezuela. He said the plan includes the continued use of sanctions, the blockade of oil exports, and the threat of additional military action to pressure internal change. He also noted that these measures are intended to deter external influence from countries such as Cuba, China, and Iran, as well as groups like Hezbollah, which he collectively referred to as the “Axis of Autocrats,” from expanding their presence in the Western Hemisphere.
The congressman also reflected on the constitutional responsibilities of lawmakers in matters of national defense. He noted that protecting the United States from foreign threats is a core obligation of members of Congress and stressed the importance of oversight when it comes to executive military operations. Drawing on personal experience, Bentz said he has seen friends and fellow Oregonians killed, wounded, or permanently harmed in foreign conflicts that began as limited interventions and later expanded significantly.
As a result, Bentz made clear his opposition to pursuing regime change through prolonged military engagement. He stated that, in his view, the administration has so far acted within constitutional boundaries and for justifiable reasons. However, he cautioned that future actions must be approached with the same level of care as the operation that led to Maduro’s capture. He concluded by emphasizing that any next steps should be clearly explained and justified to both Congress and the American people.
For many Bentz’s statement underscores the gravity of the situation in Venezuela and highlights the complex balance between decisive action, constitutional authority, and long-term stability as U.S. policy in the region continues to evolve.