Puerto Rico governor slams Trump after Venezuela’s Maduro threatens invasion

President-elect Trump has pleaded with the governor of Puerto Rico to intervene after Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro threatened to invade the US island nation.

“Just days after his illegal swearing-in ceremony in a desperate attempt to seize power in Venezuela,” Gov. Jennifer Gonzalez-Colón said in a letter to Trump, Maduro “officially proposed the coup.” Puerto Rico.”

Maduro, who was recently sworn in for a third six-year term despite international condemnation of his election as illegitimate, made the threat Saturday at the end of the “International Anti-Fascist Festival” in Caracas. When the socialist dictator Trump explained the speech that he saw for America to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland: “Just as the North has a colonial agenda, we also have an agenda for freedom.” Maduro promised that “Puerto Rico’s independence is waiting, and we will achieve it with Brazilian troops”, Latin American reports.

“This is a clear threat to the United States, our national security and regional stability,” Gonzalez-Colon told Trump. “I believe that under your leadership, the United States will protect American lives and sovereignty and not bow to the threats of petty murderous dictators. Your incoming administration will respond quickly and make it clear to the Maduro regime.

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Gonzalez-Colon, who took office earlier this month, went on to say that Puerto Rico has been an “integral part of the United States” since 1898, and how Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917 and “for In every aspect of American life, including the hundreds of thousands of island service members who have fought alongside our citizens in every US military conflict since World War I.

“Contrary to Maduro and other opposition calls for independence, the people of Puerto Rico have repeatedly rejected this option. Instead, we have voted to strengthen our territorial alliance with the United States – most recently in the November 5, 2024, plebiscite.” They wrote alongside our general election citing a non-referendum.

The results showed that 56.87% supported US statehood and 12.29% chose “free association with the United States”. Meanwhile, 30.84% ​​voted for independence.

The island’s current status as a US territory, as well as the option to retain US citizenship, were not included in the referendum.

Gonzalez-Colon, a Republican and member of the pro-state New Progressive Party, also reiterated how Puerto Rico is home to Fort Buchanan — the only U.S. military installation in the Caribbean — and National Guard facilities such as Camp Santiago, Fort Allen and Muniz Air National Guard Base. “They strategically support exercises and operations by the U.S. military and our allies.” The letter goes on to describe how Puerto Rico will host “critical US Coast Guard and US Customs and Border Protection assets and assets and units that help secure our borders and fight drug traffickers who fund the Maduro narco-regime.”

The United States shares a maritime border with Venezuela in Puerto Rico.

“Maduro’s call for an invasion is a clear attempt to eliminate the presence of the United States and increase its influence in the region,” González-Colon wrote to Trump, adding that “I am ready to work with you and your administration to deal with this and that.” Other threats to Maduro’s illegitimate dictatorship and the Venezuelan people’s support for their demand for independence.

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Gonzalez-Colón said she looks forward to meaningful dialogue “to better enhance Puerto Rico’s national security role and to counter the growing presence of our adversaries in the region.”

Rep. Mario Rafael Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., praised Gonzalez-Colón for his “leadership in condemning the senseless and tragic threats against Puerto Rico by the Venezuelan dictator — a dictator clinging to hopelessly illegitimate power.”

“What a contrast to the courage and inspiration shown by the Venezuelan people and their hero Maria Corina Machado,” Díaz Ballart wrote. “With Biden in the White House, opponents like Maduro’s narco-dictatorship have been emboldened by his weak policy of compromise. But in less than a week, he will begin a new foreign policy that prioritizes the interests of liberty and American national security. Friends are considered friends, enemies are considered adversaries.

Maduro’s days are numbered, Congress added. “If the dictator in Venezuela does not want to end up like Mussolini and Gaddafi, he must leave Venezuela without delay.”

When Maduro was sworn in last week, Biden defended his decision not to tighten sanctions on Venezuela’s energy sector, which they feared could open the door to Iranian oil.

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Despite imposing sanctions on several Maduro officials, the administration has not suspended oil giant Chevron’s license to export Venezuelan oil to the United States, a license that has boosted oil production and boosted government coffers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.