Furious Republican lashes out at reporter's question over Venezuela's leadership in extraordinary outburst: 'Do not put words in my mouth'

UK Daily Mail ^ | 01/04/2026 | LAURA PARNABY

[DFG]

A Florida Republican has erupted in fury at a local news reporter who asked about the future of Venezuela in the wake of dictator Nicolás Maduro's capture.

Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart hit back against the accusation that members of his party are not 'willing to support' popular Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, despite US President Donald Trump's comments to the contrary.

He ripped into the reporter for 'putting words in my mouth' while adding that he thinks Machado will be the country's 'next democratically-elected president'.

This marks a departure from the party line, as Trump appears to have thoroughly dismissed the idea of working with Machado by claiming Saturday that she 'doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country' to lead it.

Assuming that Rep Díaz-Balart shared the same perspective, a local reporter asked him during a Miami press conference the same day why 'you are not willing to support' Machado.

'Woah woah woah woah woah woah. Wait wait wait. Hold on. First, you're talking to us? When have we ever not supported her?' Díaz-Balart hit back.

'These are serious issues,' he added, while wagging his finger at the journalist.

'Do not put words in my mouth! I will not tolerate putting words in my mouth or my colleagues mouths.

'We have been consistent from day one, and I am convinced there's going to be a transition, we've already talked about that.

'And I'm convinced that when there are elections - whether they're new elections, or whether there's a decision to take the old elections - that the next democratically-elected president of Venezuela is going to be Maria Corina Machado.'

It is unclear which outlet the local journalist worked for. The Daily Mail has reached out to Díaz-Balart's office for clarification.

[DFG]

"Inside Job? Reports Suggest New Venezuela’s Interim President, Delcy Rodríguez, Negotiated With the US the Removal of Maduro, With the Mediation of UAE"

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/01/inside-job-reports-suggest-new-venezuelas-interim-president/

[BenLurkin]

Classic.

Impressive.

[ClearCase_guy]

No one hates the media enough.

[Carl Vehse]

It's time for Republicans to call the reporters for what they are: the Enemedia!

[SmokingJoe]

Machado did not win the election last year.
Edmundo Gonzales did.
As to who will become next real president (not a fake president like Manduro), it depends on who wins the next elections.

[Hot Tabasco]

Inside job? Anonymous sources? This is all bullshit designed to create controversy where none exists........And we're too stupid to realize it.........

[DIRTYSECRET]

What was needed is another one of those people to step up to the mike and say “He really put you in your place didn’t he? Ha ha!” Preferably a man.

[TornadoAlley3]

Erupted in fury?

[GOPJ]

Democrats feel contempt for the press because they’re so easy to manipulate. Our people are catching on....

[Recovering_Democrat]

miami media is extremely left wing. extremely.

[frank ballenger]

Ha. I am trying to, believe me.