In an official appearance from his residence in Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump offered new details about the “surgical” military operation that culminated in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Before national and international media, the president described the action as a “spectacular assault unlike anything seen since World War II” and reaffirmed that the South American country will now enter a phase of “just transition.”
Technical details: “The operation was lethal”
Unlike his previous informal comments, at the press conference Trump delved into the magnitude of the Southern Command deployment:
Precision Invasion: The president confirmed that the attack was so forceful that it was not necessary to execute a “second wave” that was already prepared.
Impact on objectives: The bombardments with helicopters and short-range missiles focused on strategic logistical points, including Fort Tiuna and the Ministry of Defense.
Use of elite force: It was officially confirmed that the ground capture was carried out by Delta Force, the main US counterterrorism unit.
Human cost: Trump reported that two US service members were injured during the operation and that a helicopter was hit by enemy fire.
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The political future and the role of María Corina Machado
One of the most anticipated points of the press conference was Washington’s position on who will lead the country after the power vacuum.
“We are going to lead Venezuela until we can make a just transition,” Trump declared, stressing that the United States will be deeply involved to ensure that no one regains power under the same conditions as Chavismo.
Regarding opposition leader María Corina Machado, the president was cautious but open: he stated that he will have to “analyze” whether he formally supports her presidency, recognizing her role as a key figure in the process.
Narcoterrorism appearance
Finally, the president confirmed that there will be no turning back in the judicial process. Maduro and Flores are being transported to appear in court on charges of narcoterrorism, a crime for which the US Attorney’s Office has already formalized charges in New York.
Donald Trump confirmed that he will take charge of Venezuela until he achieves a transition that guarantees peace
“We will defend our citizens against all threats, foreign and domestic.” –President Donald J. Trump
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 3, 2026