Trump Confirms U.S. Military Operation Led to Maduro’s Arrest

Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, announced that the U.S. has made decisive moves regarding the future leadership of Venezuela following the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and the collapse of his regime. In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump warned that those remaining loyal to Maduro would face a “bad future,” suggesting María Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader, as a potential political alternative.

The former president confirmed that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are being transported to New York, facing multiple criminal charges, including allegations of narcoterrorism. According to Trump, the couple is traveling by helicopter and boat, and they will soon appear in court in the state of New York. He described their transportation as smooth, stating, “Helicopters took them away, and they flew comfortably; I believe they enjoyed it.”

Trump elaborated on the severity of Maduro’s actions, claiming, “They killed many people, including many Americans, as well as people in their own country.” He did not provide further details regarding these accusations.

In his comments, Trump also emphasized that the United States would be “strongly involved” in the Venezuelan oil sector moving forward, reiterating that energy remains a crucial aspect of U.S. policy towards Caracas following the regime’s downfall. He noted that just a week before the operation, he had personally communicated with Maduro, urging him to surrender. “I told him: you must give up, you must surrender,” Trump recounted.

The military operation, which led to Maduro’s arrest, was initially planned four days prior to its execution but was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions. Trump remarked, “The weather has to be perfect… suddenly it opened up, and we said, go.”

Underlining the strategic environment of the arrest, Trump described the location where Maduro was captured as resembling “a fortress more than a house,” fortified with “solid steel everywhere.” He praised the elite U.S. special forces unit, Delta Force, for their role in the operation, commending their “speed” and “violent efficiency.” He stated that it was an operation unlike any he had witnessed before, despite his prior involvement in various foreign policy interventions.

“I could monitor every aspect of the operation, between Florida and the ground in Venezuela,” Trump noted. He confirmed that there were several injuries among American soldiers during the operation, but thankfully, there were no fatalities. “A few guys got hit, but they returned and should be in pretty good shape,” he added.

Trump’s statements come at a pivotal moment as Washington signals its entry into a new phase of crisis management in Venezuela. This phase includes messages about a change in government, prosecution of the former leadership, and a stronger U.S. role in critical sectors of the country. The developments reflect a significant shift in American foreign policy and its implications for the future of Venezuela.