Trump Addresses Venezuela Situation at Press Conference

In a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. will retain control over Venezuela following the extraordinary capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

Trump emphasized, “We will continue to run our country until we can have a safe, proper and wise transition of power. We want peace, freedom, and justice for the people of Venezuela, including those who want to return home.”

He added, “We can’t let someone with no regard for the Venezuelan people’s interests take over, which has been the case for decades. That’s not happening on our watch.”

Last night, the U.S. executed “Operation Absolute Solution” in Caracas targeting Maduro and Flores.

Though a second, larger operation is on the table, Trump expressed doubt it would be necessary given the success of the first.

On social media, Trump shared proof of life requested by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, showing Maduro on the battleship Iwo Jima, dressed casually and holding a water bottle.

During the takeover, Trump also revealed his intention to allow U.S. oil companies to manage Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, aiming to unlock the nation’s oil production potential and generate revenue.

He praised the military’s execution of the “spectacular attack,” calling it a remarkable display of American military might. “Not a single piece of military equipment was lost,” though one plane sustained minor damage.

The operation involved a U.S. crew indicted in New York for a deadly narco-terrorism scheme. Maduro and Flores now face trial for allegedly leading the Cartel de los Soles, which has contributed significantly to the opioid crisis in the U.S.

Trump noted that capturing Maduro has led to a 97% reduction in drugs entering the U.S. by sea, and emphasized that Venezuela has unlawfully seized American assets worth billions.

“They stole it by force. This is one of the greatest thefts of American property in history. We did nothing,” he asserted.

He mentioned that Venezuela also hosted foreign adversaries and acquired weapons that were used during Maduro’s capture, claiming this violates core American foreign policy principles.

Army Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the flawless execution of the mission, stating even Maduro realized it “inadvertently.”

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, John Daniel Kaine, discussed the unprecedented operation, which involved over 150 aircraft and numerous intelligence agencies.

The joint forces aimed for minimal civilian harm while maximizing surprise during the operation. At the time, Maduro was in a so-called “safe area,” but Trump noted that U.S. troops could have breached any door in mere seconds.

When asked about aligning foreign operations with his administration’s “America First” policy, Trump responded, “We want to be surrounded by good neighbors, stability, and energy — it’s crucial for us and the world.”

Addressing the Venezuelan people, Trump stated, “You’re going to regain some wealth that should have been yours, but you’ll also secure peace and justice. You’re on the path to a potentially great country.”