Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that a military operation planned four days prior successfully led to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. In an interview with Fox News, he revealed that the U.S. is currently making decisions regarding Venezuela’s future leadership following the downfall of Maduro’s regime. Trump warned that those who remain loyal to Maduro face a “bad future,” mentioning opposition leader María Corina Machado as a potential political alternative.
Trump confirmed that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were being transported to New York, where they are facing multiple charges, including narcoterrorism. He noted that the couple was traveling by helicopter and boat and would soon appear in a federal court in New York. “Helicopters took them away, and they flew comfortably; I believe they enjoyed it,” Trump remarked, according to reports.
He emphasized the serious nature of the charges, stating, “They killed many people, including many Americans, as well as people in their own country,” without providing additional details about these allegations. Trump also asserted that the U.S. would be “strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil sector, highlighting energy as a crucial issue in American policy toward Caracas after the regime’s collapse.
Details of the Operation
Trump disclosed that he personally spoke to Maduro a week before the operation, urging him to surrender. “I told him: You must stand down, you must surrender,” he said. He described the military operation as a necessary response, stating, “We had to do something much, much stronger.” The operation was initially delayed due to adverse weather conditions but was executed once conditions improved. “The weather had to be perfect… suddenly it cleared up, and we said, go ahead,” he added.
He described the location of Maduro’s arrest, which he characterized as a fortress-like structure, stating it resembled a “fortress more than a house,” with “solid steel everywhere.” Trump praised the Delta Force, the elite American special operations unit that participated in the arrest, commending their “speed” and “violent efficiency.” He remarked that it was an operation unlike any he had previously witnessed, despite his involvement in numerous foreign policy interventions.
“I was able to track every aspect of the operation, between Florida and the ground in Venezuela,” Trump stated. He confirmed that there were injuries among American soldiers during the operation, but no fatalities were reported. “A few guys were hit, but they returned and should be in pretty good shape,” he said.
Implications for U.S.-Venezuela Relations
Trump’s statements come as Washington signals a new phase in its crisis management approach toward Venezuela, emphasizing a shift in power, prosecution of former leadership, and a stronger American role in key sectors of the country. This development is crucial, given the long-standing instability in Venezuela and its implications for U.S. foreign policy.
The future leadership of Venezuela remains uncertain as international attention focuses on how the U.S. will navigate the political landscape following Maduro’s arrest. The unfolding situation may redefine relations not only between the U.S. and Venezuela but also within the broader context of Latin American geopolitics.
