FULL REMARKS: Trump on U.S. operation in Venezuela to capture Maduro

Key Concepts

• US Military Intervention in Venezuela: A successful US military operation ("Operation Absolute Resolve") resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores.
• Justification Based on Naroterrorism & National Security: The intervention is justified by the administration as a response to Maduro’s alleged campaign of naroterrorism, destabilizing influence, and theft of American assets.
• US Control & Resource Exploitation: The US intends to oversee Venezuela’s transition, rebuild its oil infrastructure with US companies, and recoup costs through oil revenue.
• Demonstration of US Military Power: The operation is presented as a showcase of American military capabilities and a reassertion of dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
• Shifting Foreign Policy & Rejection of Isolationism: The administration signals a more assertive US foreign policy, referencing the Monroe Doctrine and rejecting non-interventionism.
• Ukraine Conflict & NATO: Trump attributes the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war to the Biden administration, claims credit for increased NATO spending, and asserts he could have resolved the conflict.

Operation Absolute Resolve: Capture of Maduro & US Intervention in Venezuela

The core event is the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, by US Armed Forces in Caracas, Venezuela. They have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges of “deadly naroterrorism” linked to the “Cartel Deles Solless.” This operation, dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” involved meticulous planning over months, leveraging intelligence from the CIA, NSA, and NGA. Over 150 aircraft – including bombers, fighters, reconnaissance planes, and helicopters from 20 bases across the Western Hemisphere – were deployed. US forces systematically disabled Venezuelan air defense systems, enabling a specialized extraction force to infiltrate Maduro’s compound and secure the area. Maduro and Flores were transported aboard the USS UIA, with plans for trial in New York or Florida. No American lives or equipment were lost.

The administration frames this intervention as a national security imperative, citing Maduro’s alleged campaign of naroterrorism, his destabilizing influence in the region, and the theft of American assets, specifically oil infrastructure. The administration claims Maduro flooded the US with drugs, sent criminal gangs like “Tren de Aragua” to terrorize American communities (with examples cited in Colorado, Washington D.C.), and unilaterally seized American oil assets. A $50 million reward was offered for information leading to Maduro’s capture. The administration claims to have interdicted 97% of drugs coming into the US by sea, attributing the majority to Venezuela, and alleges 25,000 annual US deaths from Venezuela-sourced drugs.

US Intentions & Transition Plan for Venezuela

The US intends to “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” can occur. This involves rebuilding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure with US oil companies, restoring oil production, and ensuring a favorable outcome for the Venezuelan people and Americans displaced by the Maduro regime. President Trump stated, “We’re going to run the country…going to stay until a proper safe and judicious transition takes place.” He envisions US oil companies extracting Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves, generating revenue to cover expenses, reimburse past “damages,” and benefit both Venezuela and the US. He stated, “We’re going to be taking out a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground.”

While initially suggesting oil companies would primarily manage the transition, Trump later conceded a limited military presence “may” be necessary. He dismissed Maria Machado, the opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, as lacking sufficient support to lead the country. Responsibility for the transition plan has been delegated to a team including Secretaries Rubio and Hegsth. The operation involved personnel ranging in age from 20 to 49.

Broader Foreign Policy & Related Issues

The operation is presented as a demonstration of unparalleled American military capabilities – air, land, and sea – executed with “breathtaking speed, power, precision, and competence.” It’s framed as a reassertion of American dominance in the Western Hemisphere, referencing the Monroe Doctrine and a new, more assertive policy (“Donro document”). Trump defended pardoning a former Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking, drawing a parallel to his own perceived politically motivated prosecution.

Addressing the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump claimed credit for compelling NATO members to increase defense spending from 2% to 5% of their GDP. He lamented the ongoing conflict, attributing it to the Biden administration and calling it “Biden’s war.” He estimated 27,000-30,000 casualties in the last month and claimed he could have resolved the conflict, describing it as a “bloodbath.” He highlighted his perceived success in resolving other conflicts, citing Thailand and Cambodia, though acknowledging some subsequent flare-ups.

Conclusion

The US military intervention in Venezuela, “Operation Absolute Resolve,” represents a significant shift in US foreign policy, characterized by a more assertive stance and a willingness to directly intervene in regional affairs. Justified on grounds of national security and naroterrorism, the operation aims to secure US interests, rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, and establish a favorable outcome for both countries. While the immediate objective – the capture of Maduro – has been achieved, the long-term implications and the specifics of the transition plan remain largely undefined, raising numerous questions about the future of US involvement in Venezuela. The administration’s broader commentary also highlighted a critical perspective on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and a re-evaluation of US commitments to international alliances.