Trump Details Capture of Venezuela’s Maduro from ‘Fortress’-Like Compound
PALM BEACH, Fla. — In a revealing interview on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” former President Donald Trump provided new details about the daring U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump described how American special forces stormed a heavily fortified compound, capturing Maduro before he could reach a secure steel-enclosed safety room.
Trump recounted huddling with military generals at his Mar-a-Lago residence as they monitored the mission unfold. He said the operation was initially planned days earlier but was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions. “We waited four days. We were going to do this four days ago, three days ago, two days ago. And then all of a sudden it opened up, and we said, ‘Go,’” Trump explained.
According to Trump, Maduro was inside a “fortress”-like house featuring steel doors and a safety space designed to be impenetrable. However, the Venezuelan leader was “bum rushed so fast” by U.S. forces that he failed to reach this secure area. Trump noted that the military was prepared with blowtorches and other equipment to breach the steel defenses but ultimately did not need to use them.
A U.S. official familiar with the operation told Fox News that the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force carried out the physical capture, while the Central Intelligence Agency provided crucial intelligence to the Department of Defense to pinpoint Maduro’s location. The military reportedly constructed a full-scale replica of the compound for rehearsals, including all safes and steel reinforcements, underscoring the meticulous planning behind the mission.
Trump expressed confidence that no U.S. personnel were killed during the operation, though he acknowledged that a few sustained injuries but were expected to recover. Following the capture, Maduro and his wife were transported by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima before being flown to New York to face charges, including conspiracy related to narco-terrorism.
The arrest has significant implications for U.S. foreign policy and law enforcement, as Maduro is expected to appear in federal court imminently. The Department of Justice is leading the prosecution, highlighting the U.S. commitment to holding foreign leaders accountable for drug trafficking and related crimes.
Lawmakers and officials have weighed in on the operation. Representative Anna Paulina Luna emphasized the role of CIA intelligence in the successful mission, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other diplomatic figures have cautioned about the complex political ramifications in Venezuela and the region.
As the situation develops, the Department of Defense has remained tight-lipped about operational specifics, citing security concerns. However, the swift and precise nature of the raid reflects the capabilities of U.S. special operations forces and intelligence agencies working in concert.
Maduro’s capture marks a dramatic turn in the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, where political and economic turmoil have persisted for years. The U.S. government’s actions underscore its determination to combat narcotics trafficking and authoritarian regimes, even beyond its borders. The coming weeks will be critical as Maduro faces the U.S. judicial system and as policymakers assess the future of Venezuela’s governance and stability.
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