Puerto Rico Governor Seeks Assistance from Trump Following Threat From Venezuela’s Maduro
The governor accused the Venezuelan leader of running a ‘narco-regime’ and calling ‘for an invasion of Puerto Rico.’
The governor of Puerto Rico sought President-elect Donald Trump’s assistance after threats from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s regime.
In a letter to Trump shared on X on Jan. 13, Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón raised concerns over Maduro’s statement about potential Latin American troops invading Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth, which she described as “an open threat to the United States, our national security, and stability in the region.”
Her letter appears to be in response to Maduro’s remarks during a speech in Caracas on Sunday, where he mentioned, “Liberty of Puerto Rico is pending, and we will achieve it with Brazilian troops,” according to local reports.
“I trust your incoming administration will promptly address this issue and make it clear to the Maduro regime that, under your leadership, the United States will safeguard American lives and sovereignty without succumbing to the threats of petty, murderous dictators,” González-Colón wrote in her letter.
The governor, in her X post, accused Maduro of operating a “narco-regime” and advocating “for an invasion of Puerto Rico.”
In addition to González-Colón’s remarks, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) stated on X on Tuesday that Maduro’s claims are “absurd and pathetic” and attributed Maduro’s increased audacity in recent years to what he characterized as weak U.S. foreign policy.
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“However, in less than a week, a new foreign policy will commence where freedom and U.S. national security interests take precedence,” he asserted, alluding to the upcoming second Trump administration. “Allies will be treated as allies, and adversaries as adversaries.”
González-Colón also highlighted that Puerto Ricans have been “American citizens since 1917” and have resisted attempts to separate the island commonwealth from the U.S.
“Maduro’s calls for an invasion are a blatant effort to eliminate U.S. presence and expand his influence in the area,” she communicated to Trump, who has not publicly responded to her letter.
“As Governor of Puerto Rico, I am prepared to collaborate with you and your administration to counter this and other threats posed by the illegitimate Maduro dictatorship and to support the people of Venezuela in their pursuit of freedom. I eagerly anticipate engaging in constructive dialogues on how to enhance Puerto Rico’s national security role and take a firm stand against the growing presence of our adversaries in the region.”
The Epoch Times reached out to the Trump transition team for comment on Wednesday but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Maduro, the head of Venezuela’s socialist party, was sworn in for another term as president earlier in January, following elections that the U.S. and many other nations deemed to be tainted by voter fraud.
Last week, the U.S. imposed new sanctions on eight Venezuelan officials and raised the reward for Maduro’s arrest to $25 million. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced Maduro’s recent inauguration as “illegitimate” and declared the U.S. does not recognize Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela’s president.
The U.S. government indicted Maduro and other high-ranking officials on drug trafficking and corruption charges in 2020. Maduro has refuted the allegations.
Reuters contributed to this report.
