This resolution commends President Trump and U.S. forces for the successful "Operation Absolute Resolve" to apprehend Nicolás Maduro and dismantle the Cartel de los Soles.
Carlos Gimenez
Representative
FL-28
This resolution commends President Trump and U.S. forces for the successful "Operation Absolute Resolve," which apprehended fugitive Nicolás Maduro and dismantled the command structure of the Cartel de los Soles. It recognizes the operation as a critical step against state-sponsored narcoterrorism that fuels the U.S. drug crisis. Furthermore, the bill reaffirms the Monroe Doctrine and supports a democratic transition in Venezuela.
House Resolution Praises 'Operation Absolute Resolve,' Reaffirms Monroe Doctrine for Western Hemisphere Security
This House resolution is essentially a formal statement of praise, commending former President Donald J. Trump, the Armed Forces, the Intelligence Community, and the Justice Department for a specific action called “Operation Absolute Resolve.” This operation, authorized on January 3, 2026, aimed to apprehend Nicolás Maduro and dismantle the command structure of the Cártel de los Soles. The resolution explicitly details the serious criminal charges against Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, including narcoterrorism conspiracy and possession of machine guns, framing the action as a necessary response to state-sponsored crime.
Why This Matters: From Drug Cartels to Your Neighborhood
For most people, a House resolution about foreign policy feels distant, but this one connects directly to issues hitting home. The resolution finds that the Maduro regime’s drug trafficking operations have directly fueled the U.S. drug overdose epidemic, contributing to tens of thousands of American deaths annually. By commending the operation, the House is signaling that targeting foreign regimes involved in drug trafficking is a top national security priority—a priority that, if successful, could impact the flow of lethal narcotics into U.S. communities and potentially reduce the devastating cost of the opioid crisis on families and healthcare systems.
The Doctrine of 'No Foreign Guests'
The resolution doesn't just praise the past; it sets the tone for future foreign policy by explicitly reaffirming two specific doctrines: the Monroe Doctrine and the Trump Corollary. For the average person, this is the part that signals a major shift in how the U.S. views its role in the Western Hemisphere. The resolution declares that the United States will not tolerate foreign military bases, intelligence assets, or proxy forces from adversaries in the Americas. This is a very clear, hard line drawn against countries like China or Russia attempting to establish a presence near the U.S. border. This strong stance is framed as a critical move to protect the American homeland from security threats and maintain regional stability.
A Nod to the Troops and the Future of Venezuela
Beyond the policy declarations, the resolution serves to publicly salute the bravery and effectiveness of the U.S. personnel—from the military to law enforcement—who executed the mission. It also expresses gratitude to their families, recognizing the personal sacrifice involved in these high-stakes operations. Finally, the resolution stands in solidarity with the people of Venezuela, supporting a rapid, constitutional transition to free and fair elections. This ties the security action back to a democratic goal, suggesting that the ultimate aim is not just apprehension but the restoration of democratic institutions that the resolution finds were dismantled by the Maduro regime starting in 2015.