On Friday, U.S. President Donald J. Trump praised the successful military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, emphasizing the unmatched strength of the American Armed Forces. He described them as "the most powerful, lethal, sophisticated, and fearsome military force on planet Earth."
During his address at the annual Republican congressional retreat, Trump asserted, "The United States has once again shown that our military is unparalleled—more powerful, lethal, sophisticated, and fearsome than any other on Earth, and there is simply no comparison."
Clearly elated, the President shared that he monitored the operation "in real-time" and was full of praise for the U.S. special forces involved in capturing Maduro, who had been hiding in a military complex near Caracas. "It was incredible to witness the professionalism and leadership quality... truly amazing," he emphasized.
Trump further boasted, "Nobody else could have achieved this," and highlighted the superiority of U.S. weaponry, mentioning that the production of some fighter jets "can't keep up with demand." He promised to speed up production of the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter and the twin-engine Apache (Boeing AH-64) attack helicopter.
Operation Details and Regional Impact
The Venezuela operation, executed in the early hours of January 3 by elite units from Delta Force and Southern Command troops, was the culmination of weeks of joint intelligence efforts between U.S. agencies and regional allies. Maduro was captured alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, and several high-ranking officials of the Chavista regime.
In his speech, President Trump reaffirmed his dedication to "Venezuela's freedom" and condemned the "years of repression, corruption, and suffering inflicted by a brutal regime." He expressed gratitude to the U.S. military for "restoring hope to the Venezuelan people."
International Reactions
Trump's announcement sparked immediate responses across Latin America. While democratic sectors celebrated the end of Chavismo, allied governments in Havana, Managua, and La Paz denounced the operation as "imperialist aggression."
In Cuba, the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro confirmed the deaths of 32 Cuban military personnel involved in supporting the Venezuelan government during the operation, which reportedly left no Americans injured, according to Trump.
The capture of Nicolás Maduro signifies a historic shift in hemispheric politics and stands as the boldest U.S. military action in Latin America in decades. Analysts agree that the operation solidifies and enhances President Trump's image of power.
U.S. Military Operations and Global Politics
How did the U.S. military manage to capture Nicolás Maduro?
The capture of Nicolás Maduro was achieved through a coordinated operation by elite units from Delta Force and Southern Command, following weeks of intelligence collaboration between U.S. agencies and regional allies.
What was President Trump's reaction to the military operation in Venezuela?
President Trump expressed immense pride in the U.S. military's capabilities, praising the professionalism and leadership displayed during the operation and reaffirming his commitment to Venezuelan freedom.
What were the international responses to the capture of Maduro?
The international response was mixed; democratic sectors in Latin America welcomed the end of Chavismo, while governments in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Bolivia condemned the operation as imperialist aggression.