By Gloria Ogbonna
On January 3, 2026, the United States carried out a decisive and historic operation that sent a clear message to the world: the era of unchecked narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere is coming to an end.
On that day, U.S. armed forces and federal law enforcement successfully extracted Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro from his country and transported him to the United States to face justice.
The mission, known as Operation Absolute Resolve, was executed with precision and professionalism—and remarkably, without the loss of a single American life.
I proudly join President Donald Trump in commending the brave men and women who made this operation possible.
Their courage, discipline, and commitment to duty ensured that one of the hemisphere’s most dangerous criminal figures is now held accountable under the rule of law. This was not just a tactical victory; it was a moral one.
Nicolás Maduro is no ordinary political figure. He is an indicted narco-terrorist whose actions have had devastating consequences far beyond Venezuela’s borders.
According to U.S. authorities, Maduro and his network were responsible for flooding international drug routes with poison that has contributed to the deaths of more than 100,000 Americans.
His extensive criminal record includes deep ties to transnational criminal organizations and close alliances with hostile foreign powers such as China, Iran, and Russia regimes that openly seek to undermine U.S. interests and destabilize democratic systems worldwide.
President Trump has been clear and consistent in his resolve to confront corruption, criminal regimes, and foreign adversaries head-on.
I share that resolve. Operation Absolute Resolve marked meaningful progress in restoring accountability and reasserting American leadership in our own hemisphere. But as many Americans are now asking, the critical question remains: What comes next?
The answer lies in a bold, comprehensive vision for the future of the Western Hemisphere—one that goes beyond military or law enforcement action.
That vision is embodied in my legislative proposal, the Americas Act, which provides a clear and responsible roadmap for long-term stability, prosperity, and security in our region.
For too long, the United States has lacked a unified, strategic plan for engagement in the Americas. While we hesitated, foreign powers most notably the Chinese Communist Party moved aggressively to fill the vacuum. Venezuela stands as a cautionary tale.
Under Maduro’s rule, China rapidly expanded its influence, locking in strategic investments and political leverage while Venezuela’s economy collapsed and its people suffered.
Without a coordinated response, we risk allowing Beijing to shape the future of our hemisphere at the expense of American workers, families, and national security.
China’s strategy is straightforward: exploit trade rules, leverage investment, and undermine local governance to gain long-term influence. This approach weakens sovereign nations and distorts markets, while directly harming U.S. companies and workers.
President Trump and I are committed to leveling the playing field, bringing manufacturing back home, and ensuring that American economic strength is not sacrificed to foreign manipulation.
The Americas Act is designed to do exactly that. At its core is the creation of an Americas Investment Corporation, a powerful new tool that would finally give the United States the ability to strategically partner with allies and the private sector across the Western Hemisphere.
This corporation would allow the U.S. government to invest alongside American companies, ensuring that major projects are transparent, economically sound, and aligned with U.S. interests.
Consider the possibilities: lithium and rare-earth mineral development in Bolivia, liquefied natural gas expansion in Argentina, or modernized ports in Panama and Chile.
These are transformative projects that could generate immense wealth in regions long plagued by stagnation and instability while allowing the United States to share in the benefits responsibly.
Just as important, the Americas Investment Corporation would help mitigate political and commercial risks that often deter U.S. businesses from investing abroad.
Capital is not the obstacle risk is. This initiative reduces that risk, unlocking safe, transparent, and mutually beneficial opportunities.
When prosperity grows across the hemisphere, everyone benefits. Stronger economies mean families can afford food, education, and healthcare. Stable nations are less vulnerable to criminal networks and authoritarian takeovers.
By lifting up our neighbors, we strengthen our own security and ensure that dictators like Maduro never again gain a foothold.
President Trump and Republicans pledged to confront America’s national security challenges head-on, and we are delivering on that promise. The extraction of Nicolás Maduro was a decisive step forward—for the United States and for our allies throughout the Americas.
Now, it is time to build on that momentum. The Americas Act is the clear and responsible next step. It is a generational strategy to keep America secure, create high-paying jobs, counter foreign adversaries, and build the strongest neighborhood in the world.
President Trump and Republicans must work together to pass the Americas Act and secure a future defined not by corruption and chaos, but by opportunity, stability, and American leadership.
Source: Breitbart
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