Democrats walk Venezuela tightrope as some praise Maduro’s ouster

Published January 7, 2026 6:00am ET



Among the blistering condemnations from Democrats for President Donald Trump’s ouster of Nicolás Maduro is a quieter concession from critics that Venezuela is better off without the former dictator in power.

Despite staunch conviction against the surprise U.S. military operation Democrats liken to an illegal act of war without a long-term strategy, some see a silver lining that draws contrast to the party’s base that has presented an otherwise unified front against America seizing the leader of a foreign country.

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