WASHINGTON _ For the first 30 minutes of President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech, the House of Representatives was divided. Republicans shot out of their seats to offer applause. Democrats largely sat quietly.
But Venezuela unified them, at least for a moment.
"The United States is leading a 59-nation diplomatic coalition against the socialist dictator of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro," Trump said about a half-hour into his speech. "Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, a tyrant who brutalizes his people. But Maduro's grip of tyranny will be smashed and broken."
Trump then looked up from the podium to acknowledge Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan lawmaker the U.S. recognizes as the country's legitimate leader, as the room stood and cheered. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who previously sat silently, stood and applauded alongside Vice President Mike Pence.
"Here this evening is a man who carries with him the hopes, dreams and aspirations of all Venezuelans," Trump said. "Joining us in the gallery is the true and legitimate President of Venezuela, Juan Guaido. Mr. President, please take this message back to your homeland. All Americans are united with the Venezuelan people in their righteous struggle for freedom. Socialism destroys nations. But always remember, freedom unifies the soul."
Trump's words were a symbolic victory for Venezuelan opposition efforts after Guaido did not meet with the president during a Miami rally on Saturday, part of his first visit to the U.S. since he was recognized as Venezuela's leader a year ago.
Guaido sat near Ivanka Trump in a guest box for the president's State of the Union guests. The White House did not announce his attendance in advance.
Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, who met with Guaido on Saturday and leads the Senate committee responsible for Latin American affairs, said the Venezuelan leader's invitation "reiterated the United States' unwavering support for the people of Venezuela, Interim President Juan Guaido and the democratically-elected National Assembly."
"By inviting Interim President Juan Guaido and the Special Envoy for Intelligence and Law Enforcement Mr. Ivan Simonovis, one of Venezuela's longest held political prisoners of the Maduro narco-dictatorship, the Trump Administration has sent a clear message that the U.S. will continue to stand with the Venezuelan people as they work towards a free and democratic Venezuela," Rubio said in a statement.
Simonovis, the former Caracas police chief, was imprisoned for 15 years before escaping Venezuela in 2019. Simonovis moved to South Florida, home to the country's largest Venezuelan community.
"Excited to see Juan Guaido tonight at the #SOTU," Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott tweeted. "Thank you Donald Trump for your continued commitment to the brave people of Venezuela in their fight for freedom and democracy."
