During a press conference, President Trump stated that, on his direct order, the United States Armed Forces carried out an extraordinary military operation in the capital of Venezuela, Caracas. According to Trump, the operation employed overwhelming military force by air, land, and sea, and was described as one of the most powerful, precise, and effective military actions in U.S. history.
The objective of the operation was to capture the illegitimate dictator Nicolás Maduro and bring him before American justice. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during the operation, without the loss of any American soldiers or military equipment. All Venezuelan military forces were rapidly neutralized.
Trump declared that Maduro was the leader of a large criminal network involved in drug trafficking and terrorism, responsible for sending massive quantities of deadly drugs to the United States, causing the deaths of thousands of people. Maduro and his wife have been indicted in New York and will face legal proceedings in the United States.
The President announced that the United States will assume temporary governance of Venezuela until a safe, orderly, and honest transition can be carried out. According to Trump, the U.S. will not allow another corrupt leader to take power again. The plan includes rebuilding the oil infrastructure with major American companies, investing billions of dollars, generating revenue for the country, and benefiting the Venezuelan people.
He emphasized that the United States is prepared for a much larger second military strike if necessary, although the initial operation was so successful that another may not be required. Trump stated that no other country in the world is capable of executing an operation at this level.
He also delivered a strong message to other nations and criminal groups, stating that the United States will not tolerate any threat against its sovereignty or its people. He declared that the Western Hemisphere is now safer, that the United States is stronger and more respected, and that Venezuela has the opportunity to become a stable, secure, and prosperous country, with peace, freedom, and justice for its people, including Venezuelans living in the United States.