Trump press conference on US attack on Venezuela | DW News

Key Concepts

• US Military Intervention in Venezuela: A large-scale US military operation ("Absolute Resolve") resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, justified by accusations of naroterrorism and threats to US national security.
• Resource Control & Economic Benefit: Securing Venezuelan oil resources is a primary driver of the intervention, framed as a financially beneficial operation for the US.
• Justification & Legal Framework: The operation is justified through indictments in the Southern District of New York and framed as a response to Maduro’s alleged criminal activities, including drug trafficking and support for violent gangs.
• Demonstration of US Power: The operation is presented as a display of American military strength and a reassertion of dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
• Former President’s Perspectives: The former President defends his past actions (pardons), distances himself from the Russia-Ukraine war, and asserts his ability to resolve international conflicts.

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Operation “Absolute Resolve” & US Control of Venezuela

The US military conducted “Operation Absolute Resolve,” described as an “extraordinary” operation comparable in scale to WWII assaults, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores. This operation involved over 150 aircraft and thousands of personnel across air, land, and sea, targeting a heavily fortified complex in Caracas. The operation was executed with “breathtaking speed, power, precision, and competence,” and remarkably, resulted in no US casualties or equipment loss.

The administration justified the intervention as a response to Maduro’s “campaign of deadly naroterrorism” against the US, specifically citing his alleged leadership of the “Cartel de las Soles” responsible for drug trafficking and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans over the years. Maduro was also accused of supporting “savage and murderous gangs” like Tren deewa, allegedly responsible for violence in US cities like Colorado and Washington D.C., and specifically cited in the case of 12-year-old Joselyn Nungaray’s alleged kidnapping, assault, and murder.

The US intends to “run the country” until a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” can occur, preventing another undesirable leader from taking power. This includes rebuilding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure with US oil companies, funded by oil revenue. The operation is directly linked to securing Venezuelan oil resources, which were described as being underutilized and stolen from American companies. Restoring oil production is presented as vital for both Venezuela’s economy and US energy security. The administration anticipates the operation will not incur costs, as the revenue generated from oil extraction will cover expenses and “reimburse” the US for “damages caused” by the previous regime.

Military Strategy & Historical Context

“Operation Absolute Resolve” was meticulously planned over months, utilizing a “joint force” integration of all branches of the US military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force) and intelligence agencies (CIA, NSA, NGA). Extensive intelligence gathering focused on Maduro’s movements, habits, and security arrangements. The operation employed a layered approach, including air defense suppression (ADS) and tactical maneuvers, executed based on specific trigger conditions to maximize surprise and effectiveness. Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) were also utilized.

The success of this operation was contrasted with perceived failures in Afghanistan and during the Carter administration, and favorably compared to previous successful operations like the killings of Soleimani and Al-Baghdadi, and “Midnight Hammer” – a previous operation targeting Iranian nuclear sites. The administration claims to have eliminated 97% of drug shipments coming by sea, largely originating from Venezuela, preventing 25,000 deaths annually.

Former President’s Commentary

The former President defended a past pardon granted to a Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking, drawing a parallel to what he perceives as the political persecution of Donald Trump by the Biden administration. He argued the pardoned president “was treated like the Biden administration treated a man named Trump” and was “persecuted very unfairly.”

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, the former President distanced himself from the conflict, labeling it “Biden’s war” and expressing concern over the high casualty rate, citing figures of “27,000” killed in the last month and “30,000” the month prior, “mostly soldiers.” He highlighted his success in getting NATO members to increase their financial contributions from 2% to 5%, stating the US is “probably making money” on munitions sales. He believes he could have prevented the war if still in office, stating, “If I were president, that war would have never happened,” and praised a recent military operation as “so precise” and “brilliant.” He characterized the war as a “bloodbath” and reiterated his desire to stop the loss of life.

Conclusion

The US military intervention in Venezuela, “Operation Absolute Resolve,” represents a significant assertion of American power and a strategic move to secure vital oil resources. The operation is framed as a necessary response to naroterrorism and a demonstration of US military capabilities, with the intention of establishing a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” of power in Venezuela. The former President’s commentary highlights differing perspectives on past actions and current international conflicts, emphasizing his belief in his ability to negotiate and prevent crises. The overarching message conveyed is one of American exceptionalism, dominance, and a commitment to protecting US national security interests.