FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO)— U.S. Senator Jim Banks says secrecy was critical in the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, arguing that notifying Congress ahead of time could have compromised the operation.
Speaking on Fort Wayne’s Morning News with Kayla Blakeslee, Banks said the White House was right to keep the mission tightly controlled. “Can you imagine if the White House would have notified Chuck Schumer and these Democrats about an operation like that?” Banks said. “They would have compromised it. They would have leaked it.”
Banks described the arrest as a “highly classified military operation” that he says was executed without error. He contrasted it with the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling that effort “a disaster,” while praising the current administration’s leadership. “The Trump Pentagon… executed this mission flawlessly,” Banks said.
The senator repeatedly referred to Maduro as a “narco-terrorist,” rejecting his legitimacy as Venezuela’s leader. “Maduro is not the legitimate leader of Venezuela,” Banks told Blakeslee. “He’s directly responsible for flooding the United States of America with deadly drugs that have killed many Americans.”
Banks said Maduro has been brought to the United States to face prosecution and accountability in U.S. courts. “He’s going to go before our courts and be prosecuted through our justice system,” Banks said. “That’s exactly what we elected this guy to do.”
The discussion also turned to a newly announced oil agreement involving Venezuela, with President Trump stating that 30 to 50 million barrels of oil could be transferred to the U.S., benefiting both countries. Banks said that part of the story has been underreported. “That’s the part the mainstream media likes to leave out,” he said.
While Banks said he was awaiting a formal Senate briefing on next steps, he expressed confidence in the president’s approach. “I trust President Trump,” Banks said. “We took Maduro, the narco-terrorist leader, out of the picture and brought him to the United States to be prosecuted.”
Banks also addressed concerns about foreign powers stepping in to fill a power vacuum in Venezuela. He said China, in particular, should view the arrest as a warning. “This puts China on notice,” Banks said. “For the first time in a very long time, the Monroe Doctrine is in effect, and we’re not going to allow our adversaries to come and play in our backyard.”
Banks said he hopes Venezuela can now move toward democratic elections and stability. “Hopefully democratic elections and a true, duly elected leader of Venezuela rather than a dictator,” he said. “Their people will be better off, but our hemisphere will be safer too.”
The interview concluded with a preview of Fort Wayne’s Morning News broadcasting live from Banks’ Washington, D.C., office as part of coverage marking the start of America’s 250th birthday year. Banks said listeners can expect interviews with Indiana’s congressional delegation and national leaders. “You’re going to hear the story about what we’ve done with President Trump back in the White House,” he said, adding that he looks forward to welcoming the WOWO team to Capitol Hill.
