The United States launched an overnight military operation into Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. President Donald Trump described it as one of the most powerful uses of American force in modern history.
According to reporting from Associated Press, U.S. forces seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their home on a military base early Saturday. The pair were flown out of Venezuela aboard a U.S. warship. They are now being transported to New York to face criminal charges tied to a Justice Department indictment alleging a narco-terrorism conspiracy.
The operation followed months of escalating U.S. military action against what the Trump administration said were Venezuelan drug-smuggling networks. U.S. officials had been tracking Maduro’s movements and habits in preparation for the raid, which AP described as one of the most stunning regime changes in recent history.
Trump laid out the details of the strike during a lengthy press conference. He said the raid unfolded under the cover of darkness after days of delays caused by weather conditions.
“Late last night and early today, at my direction, the United States armed forces conducted an extraordinary military operation in the capital of Venezuela,” Trump said. “Overwhelming American military power, air, land, and sea was used to launch a spectacular assault.”
Trump Details Raid and Military Tactics
Trump described the mission as historic in scale and execution.
“And it was an assault like people have not seen since World War II,” he said. “This was one of the most stunning, effective, and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history.”
He said Maduro was heavily guarded inside a fortified presidential complex. U.S. forces were prepared to breach steel-reinforced safe rooms using specialized equipment if necessary.
“It had what they call a safety space, where it’s solid steel all around,” Trump said. “He was trying to get into it, but he got bum-rushed right so fast that he didn’t get into that. We were prepared.”
Trump said U.S. forces even rehearsed the mission on a replica of the building before executing the real-world operation. He added that the assault lasted less than 30 minutes and that power across much of Caracas was shut down during the raid.
At least seven explosions were heard in the capital, according to reports. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said civilians and members of the military were killed, though Trump disputed that account and said U.S. losses were limited.
“A couple of guys were hit, but they came back and they’re supposed to be in pretty good shape,” Trump said. “Not a single American service member was killed and not a single piece of American equipment was lost.”
Maduro and Wife Taken Into Custody
Trump said Maduro and Flores were flown by helicopter to a U.S. warship and will face trial in New York.
“We had to do it because it’s a war,” he said.
No U.S. Fatalities Reported
U.S. officials told CBS News that some American service members suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and other injuries during the operation. All are reported to be in stable condition, and there were no U.S. fatalities.
Trump Says U.S. Will Temporarily Run Venezuela
The president said the U.S. now plans to temporarily oversee Venezuela until a new government is in place.
“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition,” Trump said. “We want peace, liberty, and justice for the great people of Venezuela.”
Trump repeatedly pointed to Venezuela’s oil industry as a key reason for U.S. involvement.
“As everyone knows, the oil business in Venezuela has been a bust, a total bust for a long period of time,” he said. “We’re going to rebuild the oil infrastructure which will cost billions of dollars. We’re going to run it properly and we’re going to make sure the people of Venezuela are taken care of.”
He added that U.S. troops are already on the ground and that additional deployments remain an option.
“We’re not afraid of boots on the ground if we have to have,” Trump said.
Rubio Defends Lack of Congressional Notification
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s decision not to notify Congress ahead of the strike, amid criticism from some lawmakers. Speaking to CBS News, Rubio said secrecy was critical to mission success.
“This was not the kind of mission that you can do congressional notification on,” Rubio said. “It was a trigger-based mission in which conditions had to be met.”
Rubio said the operation should be viewed primarily as law enforcement.
“At its core, this was an arrest of two indicted fugitives of American justice, and the Department of War supported the Department of Justice in that job,” he said.
Trump echoed that sentiment and criticized Congress for potential leaks.
“Congress has a tendency to leak,” Trump said. “This would not be good.”
Warnings to Other Foreign Leaders
Trump said the mission sent a clear message.
“This extremely successful operation should serve as a warning to anyone who would threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives,” he said.
Rubio had the same message, saying Maduro had multiple chances to avoid the operation.
“Nicolas Maduro was indicted in 2020 in the United States. He is not the legitimate president of Venezuela,” Rubio said. “He is a fugitive of American justice. He had multiple opportunities to avoid this.”
He issued a warning to other foreign leaders.
“Don’t play games with this president,” Rubio said. “It’s not going to turn out well.”