Mixed martial arts champion Julianna Peña has publicly expressed her support for the Trump administration’s recent actions regarding Venezuela, making clear that her connection to the South American nation runs deeper than just a ring name.
The former UFC bantamweight champion, known throughout the sport as “The Venezuelan Vixen,” took to social media to share her perspective on the January 3rd detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, now in U.S. custody facing charges related to his authoritarian regime.
“Hi, my name is Julianna Peña. I’m proud to carry American, Venezuelan, Mexican, and Native American heritage — but in the MMA world, people know me as ‘The Venezuelan Vixen.’”
She added,
“That nickname was given to me by the man who taught me how to fight, as a way to honor my father and his bloodline.”
Peña described childhood memories of visiting Venezuela with her parents, recalling a nation that once held tremendous promise.
“It was beautiful. I loved learning about the history, the culture, and everything that made the country so special. There was a time when Venezuela was one of the richest and most promising nations in the world.”
The MMA star outlined how dramatically circumstances changed over the past decade and a half.
“But over the last 15 years, everything changed. What was once thriving fell into chaos under the dictatorship of Nicolás Maduro. Visiting became dangerous, and our family was warned not to return. My relatives have suffered in ways I wouldn’t wish on anyone — real hardship, fear, and loss.”
Her statement comes as Maduro’s detention has generated unexpected commercial ripples across multiple industries. Maduro’s case is a trending topic across the internet. When the Venezuelan leader appeared in U.S. custody wearing Nike Tech Fleece, search queries for the product climbed dramatically and social media mentions increased more than fifteen-fold. Several sizes of the gray fleece jacket disappeared from Nike’s website within days.
A second custody photo showed Maduro wearing a baby blue hoodie from Origin, the American-made apparel company founded by retired Navy SEAL commander Jocko Willink.
The MMA star concluded with a declaration of identity that transcends politics.
“I’m proud to be Venezuelan — whether people accept it or not.”
