Trump Hails “Brilliant” Military Operation to Capture Venezuela’s Maduro as Historic US Achievement

Washington, Jan 2026 : President Donald Trump described the recent US military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as a highly complex, tactically precise mission carried out under extremely dangerous conditions, praising American forces for what he called a “brilliant” execution that avoided any US fatalities. U.S. Department of War

Speaking at the House GOP Members’ Retreat, Trump emphasised that the operation involved significant risks — including heavy fire against US helicopters as troops moved in during the predawn assault — and required extensive coordination and surprise to succeed. “It was an amazing military feat,” the president said, adding that US forces had “a lot of boots on the ground.” U.S. Department of War

Trump characterised the operation as a decisive moment after years of US frustration with Venezuelan leadership, accusing Maduro of overseeing widespread repression and violence. “He’s a violent guy,” Trump said, repeating his claim that millions had suffered under Maduro’s rule. U.S. Department of War

The rapid strike caught Venezuelan forces off guard, according to Trump, who noted that power was cut in Caracas during the assault, contributing to tactical surprise. “There was no electricity,” he said, adding that only small numbers of people had light, mostly from candles. U.S. Department of War

Operation Scope and US Strategy
Trump framed the raid as part of a broader effort to confront what he described as narco-terror states in the Western Hemisphere and curb drug trafficking that he said has adversely affected the United States. “Not just Venezuela,” Trump said. “It’s what’s coming out of Venezuela.” He claimed maritime drug trafficking linked to the country had dropped sharply and said enforcement would expand to land routes. U.S. Department of War

He also rejected suggestions that the mission was driven solely by oil or regime-change ideology, instead framing it as a security imperative tied to longstanding US strategic interests in the region. “It’s our hemisphere,” Trump said, invoking the Monroe Doctrine. “Other presidents lost sight of it. I didn’t.” He added that the operation demonstrated US military superiority, noting, “Nobody has our weapons… Nobody has the quality of our weapons.” U.S. Department of War

International Fallout and Wider Impact
While Trump celebrated the mission as one of the most significant strategic actions taken by the United States in years, the operation has sparked international controversy and condemnation. Venezuelan authorities and other nations have criticised the incursion as a violation of sovereignty and international law, with reports indicating at least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed during the raid, and dozens more — including Cuban personnel — also died in the crossfire. AP News+1

The United Nations and several governments have expressed concern that the unilateral use of force sets a dangerous precedent and may destabilise the region. Critics argue that the US operation undermines key principles of international law that uphold state sovereignty and territorial integrity. Reuters

In Caracas, interim leadership under Delcy Rodríguez has faced pressure to stabilise the country amid the upheaval, even as questions linger about the legality and long-term consequences of the US action. Maduro and his wife have been transported to the United States to face federal narcotics and terrorism-related charges, a development that has drawn both domestic support and fierce criticism abroad. ABC News

US Domestic Response
On the domestic front, Trump’s remarks were met with praise from many Republican lawmakers who see the operation as a bold assertion of American strength and a strike against organized crime and repression. However, opposition figures have raised concerns about the lack of congressional approval for the mission and the possibility of deeper entanglement in foreign conflicts without clear legal or strategic frameworks.

As the situation continues to evolve, the capture of Maduro stands as a dramatic and contentious moment in US foreign policy — a blend of military precision, geopolitical ambition, and global debate over the role of force in international relations.

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