Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Bob Wells discusses the U.S. Navy’s buildup in the Caribbean and President Donald Trump’s message to Venezuela’s successor to Nicolás Maduro on ‘Fox Report.’

The capture of Venezuelan tyrant and narco-terrorist Nicolás Maduro is a triumph for the United States, and one for which President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the great warriors who executed last Saturday’s mission deserve every plaudit. Thanks to this administration, we could be looking at a future in which Venezuelan drugs are off American streets, migrants return home to build a better future in a free and prosperous Venezuela, and Maduro’s authoritarian allies in Beijing, Tehran and Moscow no longer have a beachhead from which to wreak havoc throughout the Americas.  

But that immense achievement could evaporate if we don’t get the next part right.  

According to reports, the administration is demanding that interim President Delcy Rodriguez commit to cracking down on drug trafficking; kicking out foreign operatives hostile to the United States; ending the sale of oil to U.S. adversaries; and, eventually, facilitating free elections.  

These are absolutely the correct priorities. But we should be under no illusion: none of the first three demands will be met if we do not loudly and publicly prioritize the restoration of Venezuelan democracy.

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE RECIPIENT MACHADO PLEDGES TO RETURN TO VENEZUELA, SEES 'ALARMING' INTERNAL CRACKDOWN

Government supporters rip an American flag in half........

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