Inside the Room with the Heroic Soldiers Wounded in the Maduro Raid & with Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado

8 snips

Jan 16, 2026

Senator Cruz visits three U.S. soldiers wounded in a raid targeting Venezuelan leader Maduro, highlighting their heroism and the positive morale among troops. Notably, soldiers received special permission to keep mementos from their injuries. Cruz also meets with exiled Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who expresses gratitude to the U.S. for support and discusses the political climate in Venezuela following Maduro's removal. The conversation touches on the importance of swift elections and U.S. unity in the face of international challenges.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Hospital Visit With Wounded Soldiers

Ted Cruz visited three U.S. soldiers wounded in the raid to arrest Maduro and described their bravery and recovery.
Two soldiers requested keepsakes (a bullet and shrapnel) which Secretary Pete Hegseth approved as waivers for morale.

ANECDOTE

Families And Camaraderie At The Hospital

Cruz noted the soldiers were young, in good spirits, and supported by praying wives during recovery.
A former commanding officer who missed the raid attended the bedside, expressing pride and regret.

ANECDOTE

Machado Presents Nobel To Trump

Maria Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader, met President Trump and presented him her Nobel Peace Prize framed as a thank-you.
Cruz praised her humility and called the presentation a savvy diplomatic gesture.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

1. Visit with U.S. Soldiers Wounded in the Maduro Raid

Senator Ted Cruz visits three U.S. soldiers wounded during a raid intended to arrest Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
All soldiers are recovering in stable condition and none suffered life‑threatening injuries.
One soldier helped plan and lead the raid and continued fighting after being shot.
Two soldiers requested keepsakes from their injuries (a bullet and shrapnel), which Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth approved as a morale gesture.
Emphasis on:
- Heroism and discipline of U.S. forces
- No American fatalities despite being outnumbered
- Significant Cuban forces defending Maduro were reportedly killed

2. Symbolism and Morale

Soldiers and their families (wives present) showed strong morale and faith.
Soldiers expressed eagerness to return to duty.
A former commanding officer expressed regret at missing the mission, reinforcing camaraderie and pride.

3. Meeting with Venezuelan Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado

Cruz met with Maria Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader now living in exile in the United States.
Machado:
- Previously awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
- Met with President Donald Trump at the White House
- Symbolically presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize as gratitude for U.S. support

4. Political Situation in Venezuela

Widespread celebration in Venezuela following Maduro’s removal.
Some political prisoners released, though still monitored.
Current acting leadership (Delcy Rodríguez) is described as illegitimate and a continuation of the Maduro regime.
Machado strongly advocates for:
- Free and fair elections
- A swift election timeline (Cruz suggests within six months)

5. Bipartisan Senate Meeting

Machado met with about a dozen U.S. senators, including Republicans and Democrats.
Cruz praises her decision to pursue bipartisan unity instead of partisan attacks.
Unity from the U.S. is portrayed as critical for Venezuela’s democratic transition.

Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz

X: https://x.com/tedcruz

X: https://x.com/benfergusonshow

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.