Trump Hails “Amazing” US Operation That Captured Maduro and Wife

Washington, Jan 2026 : US President Donald Trump on Saturday described the military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as “amazing,” praising the speed, precision, and professionalism of the US forces involved.

Speaking on Fox & Friends Weekend just hours after the raid, Trump said he personally monitored the operation live from Mar-a-Lago through video feeds. “It was an amazing thing, the amazing job that these people did. There’s nobody else who could have done anything like it,” he said. Trump recounted footage showing US forces breaching steel doors in seconds. “They broke through steel doors in a matter of seconds. I’ve never seen anything like it, actually,” he added.

The President confirmed that no American troops were killed during the operation, though he suggested that some personnel may have been injured when a helicopter involved in the mission was hit. He did not provide additional details regarding the injuries.

Trump said Maduro and Flores were taken by helicopter out of Venezuela and transported to the USS Iwo Jima, one of several US warships operating in the Caribbean. “They’ll be heading into New York. The helicopters took them out, and they went by helicopter, a nice flight. I’m sure they loved it,” Trump said.

According to Fox News, Maduro could make an initial appearance in federal court in Manhattan as early as Monday, though the timing may change. Attorney General Pam Bondi reiterated that both Maduro and Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on multiple serious charges, including narcotics-related offenses.

Trump dismissed criticism from lawmakers and legal experts questioning the operation’s legality. Referring to comments by Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Trump said, “They’re weak, stupid people. They should say great job. They shouldn’t say ‘Oh, gee, maybe it’s not constitutional.’ You know the same old stuff that we’ve been hearing for years and years and years.”

The President also issued warnings to Venezuelan government officials who continue to support Maduro. “If they stay loyal, the future is really bad, really bad for them,” he said, adding, “I’d say most of them have converted.” Several senior Venezuelan officials criticized the US action on state television following the operation.

Sources familiar with the mission indicated that elite US units carried out the operation. The CIA reportedly identified the location where Maduro and Flores were staying, while US Army Delta Force soldiers executed the raid. The CIA also supported air, sea, and land operations in what was described as a highly secretive “snatch and grab” mission.

When asked about Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, Trump offered no immediate endorsement. “Well, we have to look at it right now,” he said. “They have a vice president, as you know. I mean, I don’t know about what kind of an election that was, but, you know, the election of Maduro was a disgrace.”

Maduro has faced US criminal charges since 2020. Washington has long accused his government of corruption, drug trafficking, and undermining democratic institutions—allegations repeatedly denied by the Venezuelan leadership.

The operation marks one of the most dramatic US military interventions in Latin America in decades, bringing immediate global attention and sparking debates over legality, sovereignty, and regional stability. Trump emphasized that the mission demonstrates American military capability and the US commitment to combating international narco-trafficking.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)

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