In a dramatic announcement from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Saturday, January 3, US President Donald Trump declared that American forces had conducted a major military operation in Venezuela, leading to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro. Trump stated the United States would now effectively "run" the South American nation to ensure a secure transition to democracy.
‘Extraordinary’ Night Raid in Caracas
President Trump described an overnight mission in the Venezuelan capital, which he ordered directly. He claimed the operation targeted a heavily fortified military complex in the heart of Caracas with the objective of apprehending what he labelled an "outlaw dictator."
"Late last night and early today at my direction, the United States armed forces conducted an extraordinary military operation in the capital of Venezuela," Trump told reporters. He boasted that the assault utilised overwhelming air, land, and sea power, comparing its scale to operations not seen since World War II.
Maduro's Fate and a Warning of More Force
The US President confirmed that Nicolás Maduro was now in custody and would be transferred to New York to face criminal charges. This move sets the stage for an unprecedented legal confrontation.
Trump also issued a stark warning, indicating Washington's readiness to escalate. "We are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to," he cautioned. However, he suggested that the initial operation's success might make further action unnecessary, claiming the first strike was so effective that a follow-up was likely not required.
Claims of Flawless Execution and Neutralised Forces
The President painted a picture of a perfectly executed mission with no American losses. "Not a single American service member was killed, and not a single piece of American equipment was lost," he asserted, noting the involvement of numerous helicopters, planes, and personnel.
He further claimed that Venezuelan military capabilities were completely disabled within hours. "In just a short period of time, all Venezuelan military capacities were rendered powerless," Trump stated, adding that no other nation could have achieved such a feat.
Describing the raid's atmosphere, Trump said, "It was dark — the lights of Caracas were largely turned off due to a certain expertise that we have. It was dark. It was deadly." He did not provide further details on how this was achieved.
The announcement marks a severe escalation in the long-standing political crisis in Venezuela, where the US has previously recognised opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president. The world now watches for verification of these claims and the international response to such a direct intervention by US forces on foreign soil.
