Former Vice President Kamala Harris criticized the Trump administration’s operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife, calling the mission “both unlawful and unwise” in a statement.
In a lengthy Saturday evening post on X, Harris acknowledged that Maduro is a “brutal” and “illegitimate” dictator.
However, she argued that President Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not benefit Americans.
“Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable,” Harris wrote.
“That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise.
“We’ve seen this movie before.
“Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price.”
Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable.
That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise. We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that…
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 4, 2026
Harris issued her remarks just hours after the administration confirmed that Maduro and his wife had been captured.
They were removed from Venezuela as part of “Operation Absolute Resolve.”
The former vice president went on to accuse the administration of pursuing oil interests rather than acting primarily to counter narcotics trafficking or support democratic reform.
“The American people do not want this, and they are tired of being lied to,” Harris claimed.
“This is not about drugs or democracy.
“It is about oil and Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman,” Harris said.
“If he cared about either, he wouldn’t pardon a convicted drug trafficker or sideline Venezuela’s legitimate opposition while pursuing deals with Maduro’s cronies.”
Harris, who has been discussed as a potential Democratic Party contender in the 2028 presidential race, further claimed the operation risks escalation and places U.S. personnel in danger.
“The President is putting troops at risk, spending billions, destabilizing a region, and offering no legal authority, no exit plan, and no benefit at home,” she said.
“America needs leadership whose priorities are lowering costs for working families, enforcing the rule of law, strengthening alliances, and, most importantly, putting the American people first.”
Maduro and his wife were transported to New York and arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn late Saturday after being processed by the DEA in Manhattan.
Earlier in the day, Trump stated that the United States will “run” Venezuela “until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.”
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