Khaberni - US President Donald Trump said that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will face American justice, confirming that the United States will manage Venezuela until a transition phase is reached, which he described as safe and fair, following a US military operation through which Maduro was arrested and taken out of the country.
Trump clarified, in an official speech, that the US military carried out an “extraordinary” military operation in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, directed by him, during which air and naval forces were used in an attack he described as astounding and unprecedented since World War II. He added that the operation aimed to bring Maduro to justice, asserting that it represented one of the most significant displays of military strength and efficiency in US history.
The American president mentioned that the operation was executed with high precision, in a manner similar to previous American operations targeting highly sensitive figures and locations, confirming that the Venezuelan military capabilities could not counteract the operation, and that Maduro’s arrest occurred “in the darkness of night” without casualties among US forces.
Drug Terrorism
Trump said that Maduro was arrested alongside his wife Celia Flores, and that both would face the US judiciary after being charged in one of the Southern courts of New York, related to what he described as "drug terrorism" against the United States and its citizens. He added that the accused were transported aboard a ship heading to US territory in preparation for the judicial proceedings.
Trump praised the performance of the US armed forces and law enforcement agencies, confirming that the operation was executed swiftly, lethally, and precisely, without the loss of any American soldiers or military equipment. He said that a large number of helicopters, fighters, and soldiers participated in the operation, emphasizing that the US military remains "the strongest in the world" in terms of capabilities, skills, and equipment.
The president linked the operation to American efforts to combat drug smuggling, saying a large percentage of drugs reaching the United States by sea originated from Venezuela, asserting that the operation contributed – in his words – to eliminating a significant portion of these activities.
He added that Maduro was leading an organized criminal network, including what is known as the "Cartel de los Soles," responsible — according to him — for the deaths of thousands of Americans over the past years.
Trump confirmed that the United States would manage Venezuelan affairs during the upcoming phase, until conditions are available for launching a fair transition process, emphasizing that Washington would not accept the return of the conditions that prevailed in previous years.
He said that his country would remain engaged in managing the Venezuelan file until a safe political transition that serves the interests of the Venezuelan people is ensured.
American Companies Invest in Venezuela
In the same context, Trump announced that major American companies would head to Venezuela to invest in rehabilitating infrastructure, especially in the oil sector, noting that these investments would inject billions of dollars aiming to rebuild what he described as deteriorated infrastructure and achieve economic returns for Venezuela.
The American president warned that his country was prepared to launch a second, and even larger, military wave if necessary, despite his confirmation that the first operation was successful and currently does not call for additional escalation. He stated that this readiness comes within the framework of ensuring the complete achievement of American goals.
Trump extensively discussed the accusations against Maduro for hosting opponents of the United States and allowing the use of Venezuelan territory for activities threatening US national security, noting that Maduro’s regime violated, according to his description, the principles of American foreign policy, and that Washington decided to reintroduce the “Monroe Doctrine” in its new national security strategy for the Western Hemisphere.
The president confirmed that the ban imposed on Venezuelan oil would remain in effect, and that the United States would continue to be militarily positioned and make necessary decisions until what he described as complete satisfaction with the operation’s results is achieved. He issued a clear warning to Venezuelan political and military leaders, saying that what happened with Maduro could be repeated with others if they do not commit to the interests of their people.
Trump concluded his speech by saying that Maduro “left the Venezuelan people free,” considering that the time has come for Venezuelans to enjoy freedom, and confirming that the military operation serves as a warning message to anyone threatening American sovereignty or the lives of American citizens.
