After Nicolás Maduro's capture, Donald Trump confirmed that Washington will maintain an active presence in Venezuela until it guarantees a democratic transition
From his residence in Mar-a-Lago, Trump insisted that the operation was "brilliant" and highlighted the professionalism of the military personnel involved, underscoring that it was a necessary action to put an end to years of impunity for Chavismo.
Explosions in Caracas and the collapse of the Chavista apparatus
The operation began at around two in the morning, with explosions in different parts of Caracas, widespread blackouts, and the overflight of military helicopters. Strategic bases of the Chavista regime were hit as part of an offensive aimed at neutralizing the response capacity of the military apparatus loyal to Maduro.
Maduro utilizaba organizaciones del narcotráfico para trasladar cocaína a los Estados Unidos
The images that circulated showed columns of smoke, power outages, and an atmosphere of intense confusion, reflecting the impact that the U.S. offensive had on an already weakened power structure.
The end of Chavismo and a new regional scenario
The attack took place after weeks of growing tension between Washington and Caracas, in a context in which Trump had already warned that Maduro's days were numbered. The offensive marks a turning point for Venezuela and for the entire region.
With this decision, the United States reaffirms its hemispheric leadership and sends a clear signal against authoritarian regimes. Governments aligned with democratic values, such as Javier Milei's in Argentina, view the action as a decisive step toward the end of one of the longest-lasting and most harmful dictatorships in Latin America.
DEVELOPING STORY
United States President Donald Trump publicly confirmed the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and made it clear that his administration will assume a central role in Venezuela until the country is in a position to begin a safe democratic transition. During a press conference, the president also warned that the United States is prepared for a second wave of attacks if the situation requires it.
Trump maintained that Washington's priority is to avoid chaos and to ensure that the collapse of the Chavista regime doesn't lead to a power vacuum that puts the civilian population or the region at risk. In that context, he emphasized that the U.S. presence will be "active and responsible".
A precise military operation with no U.S. casualties
The U.S. president emphatically praised the work of the armed forces that carried out the operation. "It was an extraordinary operation," he stated, as he described Maduro's capture as an action planned in detail and executed with maximum precision.
Trump compared the operation with previous military actions against structures hostile to the international order and asserted that no U.S. citizen lost his or her life, a key fact that reinforces the image of a surgical and professional intervention.
Sin Maduro ni Delcy, Diosdado Cabello quedó a cargo de la dictadura en Venezuela
According to his account, Maduro was captured in the middle of the night and extracted from the country in a helicopter, in a sequence that the president himself followed in real time with his team.
Maduro will be tried in the United States
Earlier, Trump confirmed that Maduro is already in flight to New York, where he will be tried for crimes related to drug trafficking, corruption, and the systematic violation of human rights. The president stated that he witnessed the operation "live" and described it as a demonstration of the power and logistical capacity of the United States.
