The dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by United States forces has sparked a fierce political debate, with a prominent UFC fighter now entering the fray to defend the action and criticise its opponents.
UFC Champion's Fiery Defence of US Intervention
Julianna Pena, the former two-time UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion known as the 'Venezuelan Vixen', has publicly praised the operation and hit out at critics. Taking to Instagram, the Trump-supporting athlete stated her belief that the vast majority of Venezuelans, between 90 to 95 percent, support the move.
'They're really excited and they're happy,' Pena said. 'They are no longer going to be oppressed people and Venezuela will finally be free. Liberal snowflakes get upset over everything.'
Pena, who has been vocal about her conservative leanings, directly linked the action to former President Donald Trump, who announced the capture early on Saturday morning. 'Trump's a man. That's my president, and he's here to make Venezuela great again,' she added.
Personal Trauma and Political Backing
The fighter revealed a personal connection to the situation, explaining that her own family endured 'very serious, horrible, horrific things' under Maduro's rule. She expressed strong support for opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, asserting she 'definitely should be the one taking that presidency.'
'Everybody knows that Maduro was an illegitimate president,' Pena argued. 'Nobody recognised him as the real president. His election was stolen. And he got in there just by fraud.'
However, Machado's relationship with Trump appears strained following the operation. Despite her attempt to 'share' her recent Nobel Peace Prize with him, Trump has distanced himself from the opposition figure. White House insiders suggested Trump was displeased she accepted the prize, which he has long coveted, with one source calling it the 'ultimate sin'.
Oil Deal and Political Fallout
In a significant development on Tuesday, Trump announced a major deal with Venezuela's interim authorities. He stated the US would receive between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality, sanctioned oil, with the proceeds controlled by his administration.
'This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!' Trump posted on Truth Social.
The president has placed Energy Secretary Chris Wright in charge of the plan, which involves transporting the oil via storage ships directly to US docks. Trump has openly stated that the military operation was partly motivated by a desire to access Venezuela's substantial oil reserves.
The capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia, following a military strike in Caracas, continues to divide opinion internationally, with protests against the invasion occurring alongside celebrations from some Venezuelan expatriates.
