Drugs? Regime? Oil? Costa wonders what the reason for Venezuela was

January 6, 2026

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno-area Congressman Jim Costa says he is relieved the reign of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has come to an end, but believes President Donald Trump must detail how the capture benefits Americans.

Costa said that he is “not saddened” that Maduro is no longer able to cling to power, following the arrest of both him and his wife, but says there were multiple reasons given for the action taking place, and the president needs to make it clear to the people what the motivation was.

“Last week it was about drugs. Then it was about the corrupt regime, which it is. Maduro’s a bad guy. And by the way, the people that kept him in office, they’re still all in place, and they’re supposed to be working with us. I don’t understand how that happens. And then, of course, now it’s about oil. So, which is it?”

Fellow Central Valley Congressman David Valadao echoed the support for Maduro’s arrest, saying in a statement to YourCentralValley.com that he backs efforts “to hold narco-terrorists accountable.”

“The Maduro regime has inflicted violence, corruption, and suffering on the Venezuelan people for years, and I stand with those fighting to restore freedom, democracy, and a hopeful future for their nation,” said Valadao in a statement.

Costa says the Trump Administration should have consulted Congress before making a move some might consider an act of war.

“In previous engagements like this, the administration has always spoken to the leadership and to members of Congress, because ultimately, we have to provide the funding for any engagement – and that has not been done.”

Fresno State Political Science Professor Tom Holyoke expects the President to receive some criticism in the days ahead, suggesting “a lot of pushback” is on the way.

“For a lot of Americans, there is a discomfort with the United States’ long legacy of messing around with Central and South American governments. We did that all through the Cold War era. And then I think for a lot of people and a lot of people who have historically supported Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, they really don’t want the United States to be involved in any country under much of any circumstance and taxpayer money going to that.”

Issues:Foreign Affairs & National Security