President Trump speaks following the U.S. attack on Venezuela — 1/3/2026

Key Concepts

• US Military Intervention in Venezuela: A large-scale US military operation, “Operation Absolute Resolve,” successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, justified by accusations of naroterrorism and reclaiming stolen assets.
• Justification & Objectives: The intervention aims to dismantle Maduro’s alleged drug cartel ("Cartel de las Soles"), secure US oil interests, prevent Venezuelan support for US adversaries, and establish a stable transition government.
• Ukraine Conflict & Russia: The former President attributes the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war to the current administration, claiming he could have prevented it and highlighting his past success in increasing NATO contributions.
• Self-Perception & Leadership: The former President consistently emphasizes his deal-making abilities, conflict resolution successes, and portrays US involvement in Venezuela as a financially beneficial operation.

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US Military Operation in Venezuela & Transition Plan

A large-scale US military operation, codenamed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores in Caracas. The operation, comparable in scale to WWII-era assaults, involved over 150 aircraft utilizing a multi-domain approach (air, land, sea, space, cyber) and achieved its objectives without any US casualties or equipment loss. The intervention was justified as a response to Maduro’s alleged “naroterrorism” against the United States, his destabilizing influence in the region, and the theft of American assets, specifically oil. Maduro is accused of personally overseeing a drug cartel ("Cartel de las Soles") responsible for countless American deaths.

The US intends to administer Venezuela until a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” can occur, preventing another undesirable leader from taking power. This administration will involve US oil companies investing billions to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, with the expectation of being “reimbursed for everything that we spend” through oil revenue. The operation serves as a warning to other nations threatening US interests, and a second, larger military wave was prepared but ultimately deemed unnecessary. Intelligence gathering for the operation was extensive, involving the CIA, NSA, and NGA, and leveraged decades of experience in joint military operations. The US claims to have significantly disrupted the flow of drugs, intercepting 97% of those coming by sea, each shipment containing enough drugs to kill 25,000 people.

Domestic Security & Case Studies

Alongside the international operation, the administration highlighted successes in reducing crime in US cities, including Washington D.C. (77% reduction), Memphis, and New Orleans, through deployments of National Guard and military personnel. Specific examples used to justify the intervention included the murder of 12-year-old Joselyn Nunggar by the Venezuelan prison gang "Tren de Aragua," which was presented as a direct consequence of Maduro’s deliberate deployment of criminal elements to terrorize American communities. The case of a pardoned Honduran president was also cited, framed as a parallel to the former President’s own perceived persecution, suggesting a political motivation behind legal actions.

Perspectives on Russia & Ukraine

The former President consistently distanced himself from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, labeling it “Biden’s war” and claiming he could have prevented it if still in office, citing Putin’s agreement with this assessment. He expressed dismay at the high casualty rate, estimating “25, 30,000” soldiers killed monthly. He highlighted his success in increasing NATO contributions from 2% to 5% of defense spending, framing this as financially advantageous for the US (“We’re probably making money on that”). He emphasized his deal-making abilities and desire to end the bloodshed, expressing frustration that resolving the Russia-Ukraine war has proven more difficult than anticipated.

Financial Considerations & Leadership Claims

The former President framed US involvement in Venezuela as a financially beneficial operation, asserting “it won’t cost us anything because the money coming out of the ground is very substantial.” He clarified that any US military presence in Venezuela would be limited to “expertise in” oil extraction, not a full-scale occupation, emphasizing the goal of securing “wealth” from Venezuelan oil for both Venezuela and the US. He boasted about settling “eight and one quarter wars,” referencing conflicts in Thailand and Cambodia, and praised the precision and brilliance of a recent military operation (details unspecified), suggesting a different outcome if his administration were in charge. He concluded by stating the war in Ukraine has become a “bloodbath” and reiterated his desire for a resolution.

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Conclusion

The presented information details a significant US military intervention in Venezuela, justified by national security concerns and economic interests. The operation is portrayed as a resounding success, demonstrating American military dominance and paving the way for the restoration of Venezuelan oil production. Simultaneously, the former President consistently distanced himself from the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing his past successes in international relations and framing the current situation as a consequence of the current administration’s policies. A central theme throughout is the prioritization of American interests and the assertion of US leadership on the global stage.