Trump Declares 'Historic Success' After Military Operation in Venezuela, Captures Maduro

This afternoon, United States President Donald Trump addressed the nation from his residence in Mar-a-Lago, following a military operation in Venezuela that reportedly led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The announcement came after a dramatic series of events, including a bombing campaign aimed at dismantling what Trump has termed a 'narcodictatorship.' In a bold move, Trump shared the first photograph of the captured Maduro on the Truth Social network, depicting him aboard the USS Iwo Jima, a U.S. aircraft carrier. This image is expected to be a defining moment in American military history. According to two sources cited by CBS, a U.S. military plane transporting Maduro is scheduled to land later today at Stewart International Military Airport in New York, where he will be handed over to federal authorities. Maduro is anticipated to face arraignment in the Southern District of New York, potentially as early as next week. Trump appeared euphoric during his address, hailing the operation as a significant victory against drug trafficking and asserting that it would open the doors for extensive investment from U.S. oil companies into Venezuela's tattered oil sector. However, he did not lay out a clear political strategy for the future governance of Venezuela following the operation. Explaining the intricacies of the operation, Trump indicated that U.S. forces conducted a complex mission that resulted in Maduro's capture without casualties. He defended the airstrikes as necessary actions in the ongoing war against drug cartels, claiming that his administration has accomplished more in curbing the flow of drugs from Venezuela than any previous government. He categorized this intervention as the largest U.S. military action in Latin America since the invasion of Panama in 1989, making it clear that the United States would play a direct role in Venezuela's future governance, albeit without explicitly using the term 'occupation.' Trump cautioned high-ranking officials loyal to Maduro about the dire consequences they would face if they did not change their allegiance. Trump also addressed the potential future leadership of Venezuela, remarking on the challenges María Corina Machado would encounter in garnering respect and support from the Venezuelan population. On the economic front, the President assured that leading American oil companies would be dispatched to Venezuela to repair its damaged oil infrastructure, promising substantial investments that would eventually generate revenue for the beleaguered nation. Trump linked the military operation to domestic energy concerns, arguing that re-establishing control over Venezuelan oil production would stabilize U.S. gasoline prices and enhance national energy security. Despite his sweeping statements, Trump did not delineate who would govern Venezuela in the near term. He vaguely referenced the country’s vice president and spoke about a supposed transition to democracy, yet refrained from committing to any electoral roadmap or providing a definitive role for the Venezuelan opposition. When pressed on the legality of the U.S. military operation, Trump dismissed concerns, reiterating the commendable work of the armed forces. Key statements from Trump during the address included: - "We are once again a respected country like never before." - "We have eliminated 97% of the drugs coming by sea." - "We are going to manage the country to make a safe and proper transition." - "We do not rule out a second wave of attacks, although it does not seem necessary." - "We are not going to let bad people take power." - "The embargo on Venezuelan oil will remain until our demands are fully met." - "Oil is going to flow, and there will be a lot of money." As the political landscape regarding Venezuela continues to shift dramatically, the international community watches closely to see how this military intervention shapes the future of the country and its people. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2