US President Donald Trump said at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Saturday (January 3rd) that the United States would effectively “manage” Venezuela until a “safe” transition to democracy is ensured, after Maduro is flown to New York to face charges.
“We will run it until it is safe, until there is a proper transition to democracy,” he said.
Trump claimed that US forces had carried out an “extraordinary” military operation in the Venezuelan capital, arresting President Nicolás Maduro and warning that Washington was ready to launch a second, much larger strike if necessary.
“Extraordinary Military Operation” in Caracas
Trump said the operation was carried out overnight in Caracas on his direct orders and involved US military force.
“Late last night and early today, at my direction, the United States military conducted an extraordinary military operation in the capital of Venezuela,” Trump said.
“Overwhelming military power, air, land and sea, was used to launch a spectacular attack – an attack the likes of which had not been seen since World War II.”
He described the target as a “heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas” aimed at bringing what he called “outlaw dictator Nicolás Maduro” to justice.
Maduro will face charges in New York
Maduro has been arrested and will face criminal charges in New York.
Warning of a second, “much bigger” attack
Trump warned that Washington remains ready to escalate militarily if developments on the ground warrant it.
“We are prepared to carry out a second and much larger attack if necessary,” Trump said.
However, he suggested that such action may not be necessary given what he described as the success of the initial operation.
“We actually assumed that a second wave would be necessary, but it probably isn’t,” he said.
“The first attack was so successful that we probably don’t need to do a second one.
“Venezuela’s military capabilities have been stripped of power”
Trump claimed the operation neutralized Venezuela’s armed forces within hours.
“No nation in the world has been able to achieve what America achieved yesterday,” he said.
“Within a short period of time, all of Venezuela’s military capabilities were put out of power.”
He added that the mission was completed without American casualties or loss of equipment.
“Not one member of the American military was killed and not one piece of American equipment was lost,” Trump said.
“We had many helicopters, many planes, many, many people involved in this fight.
“It was dark, it was deadly”
Trump also described conditions during the raid, saying Caracas was plunged into darkness as the operation unfolded.
“It was dark — the lights in Caracas were largely out because of some of the expertise we have,” he said without elaborating.
“It was dark. It was deadly.”
Read also | Donald Trump shares first photo of captured Maduro from US ship
