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President Trump revealed in an exclusive interview with “Fox & Friends Weekend” that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by American special forces in what he described as a “fortress-like” house in Venezuela. The operation, which Trump characterized as “extremely complex,” was executed after a four-day delay waiting for optimal weather conditions.
“We waited four days. We were going to do this, four days ago, three days ago, two days ago. And then all of a sudden it opened up, and we said, ‘go,'” Trump explained, providing a rare glimpse into the high-stakes operation.
According to the president, Maduro was in a heavily fortified residence with steel doors and a specially designed “safety space” surrounded by solid steel. However, U.S. forces moved with such speed that Maduro was unable to reach this secure area before being apprehended.
“He got bum rushed so fast that he didn’t make it to that area of the house,” Trump said, noting that U.S. forces had been prepared with “massive blowtorches and everything else” necessary to breach the steel barricade, but ultimately didn’t need to use them.
A U.S. official briefed on the operation confirmed to Fox News that members of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force physically captured Maduro, with the CIA providing critical intelligence to locate the Venezuelan leader. The mission’s planning was meticulous, with U.S. forces constructing a replica of Maduro’s residence to practice the raid.
“Everything was pinpoint… everything they practiced. They actually built a house which was identical to the one they went into with all the safes, all the steel all over the place,” Trump explained.
The president monitored the operation in real-time from a room at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, surrounded by military generals who provided updates as events unfolded. Trump indicated that while no American forces were killed during the operation, “a couple of guys were hit, but they came back, and they’re supposed to be in pretty good shape.”
Following the capture, Maduro and his wife were transported by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima. They are now en route to New York, where they will face an indictment on serious charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy.
The operation marks a significant turning point for Venezuela, a country that has suffered under Maduro’s authoritarian rule since 2013 when he succeeded the late Hugo Chávez. Under his leadership, Venezuela has experienced economic collapse, widespread human rights abuses, and an exodus of millions of citizens fleeing deteriorating conditions.
When asked about Venezuela’s future without Maduro, Trump indicated that decisions were still being made about the country’s governance. “We can’t take a chance of letting somebody else run and just take over where he left off. So we’re making that decision now,” he said.
Trump emphasized that the United States would be “very much involved” in Venezuela’s transition, expressing a desire for “liberty for the people” and improved U.S.-Venezuelan relations. “I think the people of Venezuela are very, very happy because they love the United States. You know, they were run by essentially a dictatorship or worse,” he added.
The president also framed the operation as part of a broader effort to combat drug trafficking, which he claimed had “gotten so out of control” under Maduro’s leadership. Venezuela has been identified by U.S. officials as a key transit country for drugs destined for American streets.
The capture of Maduro represents one of the most significant U.S. military operations in Latin America in recent decades, with potentially far-reaching implications for regional stability and U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.
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16 Comments
Capturing a sitting president in such a high-security setting is certainly an impressive military feat. I wonder what intelligence and planning went into pulling off this operation successfully.
Yes, the details provided suggest a very sophisticated and well-executed mission. It will be interesting to learn more about how they were able to breach the fortified residence.
This development in Venezuela could have major ripple effects on global commodity markets, especially for critical minerals and energy resources. It’s a situation worth closely monitoring.
I agree. With Venezuela’s large reserves of oil, gold, coltan, and other key materials, the political upheaval could disrupt supply chains and pricing. Investors will be closely watching for any impacts.
Interesting development in Venezuela. It will be important to see how this impacts the political and economic situation there. What do you think the implications could be for the mining and energy sectors?
The capture of Maduro could certainly shake things up, but stability and rule of law will be critical for the mining and energy industries to thrive in Venezuela.
The capture of Maduro is a significant event, but the real challenge will be establishing stability and a functioning government in Venezuela going forward. That will be crucial for the mining and energy sectors there.
Absolutely. Restoring order and the rule of law will be critical for foreign companies to have the confidence to invest and operate in Venezuela’s resource industries.
While the details of this operation are impressive, I can’t help but wonder about the broader geopolitical implications. How might this shift the balance of power in the region and globally?
That’s a great point. The capture of Maduro could have far-reaching consequences, both for Venezuela’s neighbors and the global power dynamics around access to critical resources.
This is a significant development, but I hope the transition of power in Venezuela can be done in a peaceful and orderly manner. Stability will be key for the mining and energy sectors to recover and thrive.
I agree. A smooth transition is crucial, as any prolonged instability or violence could disrupt Venezuela’s vital resource industries and supply chains.
The fortified nature of Maduro’s residence speaks to the challenges of governing Venezuela in recent years. I’m curious to learn more about how this operation was planned and executed so effectively.
Indeed, the details provided suggest a very sophisticated and well-coordinated mission. It will be interesting to see if more information emerges about the intelligence and logistical efforts behind this capture.
This is certainly a major development, but the real test will be in how the new government in Venezuela handles the economy and the country’s vital mining and energy sectors. Investors will be watching closely.
Absolutely. Restoring confidence and stability in Venezuela’s resource industries will be crucial, both for the country’s economic recovery and global supply chains.