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The Republican congresswoman from Florida, María Elvira Salazar, celebrated the first year of Donald Trump's second term, stating that the president "is ushering in a new era for the western hemisphere," with a strong policy against the dictatorships in the region.
"This administration stands for freedom and democracy, from Venezuela to Cuba and Nicaragua, advancing a new model of leadership that confronts dictators and supports the people fighting for their freedom," wrote the Cuban-born legislator on her X account.
Salazar's words were a direct response to the message published earlier by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who asserted that "in just one year, President Trump has restored American sovereignty with a policy of peace through strength."
Rubio emphasized in X that "our allies respect us, our adversaries fear us, and the American people come first."
Since Trump's return to the White House, his administration has advocated for a tougher stance against the authoritarian regimes on the continent, especially against Miguel Díaz-Canel's government in Cuba, Daniel Ortega's in Nicaragua, and what remains of chavismo in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro in early 2026.
María Elvira Salazar, one of the strongest voices in Congress advocating for freedom in Cuba and Venezuela, has consistently supported the current administration's policy towards the region and has reiterated that "the United States cannot remain indifferent to oppression."
The Cuban-American congresswoman has also insisted that sanctions and diplomatic pressure must be accompanied by direct support for civil society, political prisoners, and democratic initiatives in exile.
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