Donald Trump comments on capture of Venezuelan President Maduro

Donald Trump has spoken after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were captured following U.S. military strikes aimed at dismantling Maduro’s regime.

From his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump called the operation “an incredible thing to see,” noting that no American lives or equipment were lost. “No nation in the world could achieve what America achieved, successfully capturing Maduro in the dead of night,” he said.

Trump added that the U.S. will oversee Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” can occur.

“We want peace, liberty and justice for the great people of Venezuela. We’re not going to let anyone take over who doesn’t have their best interests at heart,” he said.

Earlier, Trump confirmed on Truth Social that the strikes were “large-scale” and coordinated with U.S. law enforcement.

“President Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife, has been captured and flown out of the country,” he stated.

Trump accused Maduro of drug trafficking, forcing migration to the U.S., and using oil revenue to fund criminal activity. Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, denies the allegations.

U.S. airstrikes reportedly targeted major sites including Fuerte Tiuna military base, La Carlota airbase, El Volcán signal station, and La Guaira seaport. Opposition spokesman David Smolansky confirmed the locations struck.


Maduro condemned the attacks, accusing the U.S. of attempting to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources and undermine its political independence. He called on national defense forces and political groups to mobilize against what he called an “imperialist attack.”

Since the strikes began, more than 110 people have reportedly been killed, and U.S. forces have confiscated two sanctioned oil tankers while pursuing a third.