'Venezuela first' MAGA rages at Trump over Maduro capture in Venezuela

Donald Trump’s recent actions in Venezuela have sparked widespread debate, even among his own supporters. After Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured and brought to the United States, Trump faced backlash from both former and current allies. Maduro now faces four federal criminal charges in the US, including conspiracy related to “narco-terrorism,” cocaine importation, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. The Venezuelan leader has claimed he was illegally “kidnapped” and has pleaded not guilty.

In the aftermath, Trump threatened to control Venezuelan oil “indefinitely,” asserting that the United States is now “in charge” of the country. While the move was framed as a crackdown on Maduro’s regime and alleged drug trafficking into the US, it has caused division within Trump’s MAGA base.

Critics from within conservative circles have been vocal. Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly criticized fellow conservatives for cheering the capture, describing Fox News’ coverage as nothing more than “rah-rah cheerleading.” Meanwhile, commentator Tucker Carlson, who once supported Trump, argued that the operation reflects the US “behaving like an empire.”

Trump’s opponents have also condemned the move. The Lincoln Project, a Republican group opposing Trump, questioned whether this aggressive foreign policy aligns with MAGA’s “America First” message. Former Trump supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed frustration, saying Americans are right to resent endless military actions funded by taxpayers, adding, “This is what many in MAGA thought they voted to end. Boy, were we wrong.”

Left-leaning figures have similarly criticized the US intervention. Jeremy Corbyn, the former UK Labour leader, called it “a total violation of all aspects of international law” and warned, “Venezuela first, who’s next?”

Overall, Trump’s Venezuela strategy has fueled intense debate across the political spectrum, revealing deep divisions not only among his critics but within his own supporter base.