A prominent Florida Republican congressman has launched into a furious tirade against a local journalist who questioned his party's stance on Venezuela following the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro.
Explosive Press Conference Exchange
The heated confrontation occurred during a press conference in Miami on Saturday. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart reacted with visible anger when a reporter suggested he and fellow Republicans were not "willing to support" popular Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
"Woah woah woah woah woah woah. Wait wait wait. Hold on. First, you're talking to us? When have we ever not supported her?" Díaz-Balart hit back, wagging his finger at the journalist. He emphatically added: "Do not put words in my mouth! I will not tolerate putting words in my mouth or my colleagues' mouths."
This defence marks a clear departure from comments made by former President Donald Trump, who on the same day dismissed Machado's viability, claiming she "doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country" to lead Venezuela.
A Defiant Defence of Machado
Díaz-Balart, representing Florida's 26th congressional district which covers much of Miami, was unequivocal in his support for the opposition figure. Miami is home to the highest population of Venezuelan immigrants in the United States.
"We have been consistent from day one," the congressman stated. "And I'm convinced that when there are elections... that the next democratically-elected president of Venezuela is going to be Maria Corina Machado."
The long-serving Republican, first elected to Congress in 2002, has deep personal connections to Latin American politics. Born in Florida to Cuban parents, his aunt was the first wife of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro. He believes Maduro's arrest signals the impending downfall of Cuba and Nicaragua's regimes too.
Trump's Contradictory Stance and Fallout
Meanwhile, Trump's dismissal of Machado has caused significant controversy, particularly given her international profile. Machado beat Trump to the Nobel Peace Prize last year, dedicating her win to him and the Venezuelan people.
Following Maduro's shock abduction, Machado hailed it as "the hour of freedom" for Venezuela on social media platform X. Her supporters have strongly rebutted Trump's assessment.
Venezuelan businessman Pedro Burelli, a former board member of state oil company PDVSA, wrote on X that Machado "is the most respected politician in the country."
In a further confusing development, Trump stated the day after Maduro's capture that the dictator's Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, had been "sworn in" as the new leader. When Rodriguez refused to comply, asserting Maduro remained president, Trump responded by saying the US would now run Venezuela directly.
The press conference saw Díaz-Balart joined by Florida Senator Ashley Moody and fellow Representatives Carlos A. Giménez and María Elvira Salazar. The journalist's outlet remains unidentified, and Díaz-Balart's office has been approached for clarification on his remarks.
