[VT – Washington D.C., ] President Donald Trump announced that U.S. military forces carried out a major overnight operation in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Trump said the two would be brought to the United States to face American judicial proceedings.
Trump described the mission as a “historic,” large-scale and precise U.S. military action conducted under his direct order, involving air, land, and sea forces. He said the operation achieved complete success with no U.S. casualties and no equipment losses, and noted that the United States had prepared a “second, much larger” strike if needed, although he now believes it may not be necessary.
Trump further announced that the United States will “run Venezuela” temporarily, stating Washington will oversee the country until what he called a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” can be ensured. He also said the U.S. plans to facilitate American oil companies’ involvement in rebuilding Venezuela’s deteriorated energy sector, investing billions of dollars to repair infrastructure and restore production, while claiming benefits would go toward Venezuelans and those displaced by the crisis.
Senior U.S. defense and military officials appearing with Trump said the operation had been planned for months, involved large-scale joint coordination, and resulted in Maduro being successfully removed from Venezuela and placed in U.S. custody aboard an American naval vessel.
Throughout the press conference, Trump linked the operation to U.S. national security concerns, accusing Maduro of leading criminal and narcotics networks and saying the action demonstrated U.S. resolve and continued strategic strength in the Western Hemisphere.
