Trump Orders Strikes on Venezuela, Arrests Maduro on Drug Trafficking Charges
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that U.S. military forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas during "Operation Absolute Resolve," following strikes on military targets in the Venezuelan capital.
Maduro was taken into U.S. custody during the operation and flown to New York aboard a Department of Justice aircraft to face federal charges including narco terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machineguns and destructive devices.
He arrived at Stewart International Airport under heavy federal escort flanked by FBI and DEA agents.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine detailed that the operation took just over two hours, with Delta Force soldiers accompanied by FBI agents apprehending Maduro and his wife.
"Maduro and his wife, both indicted, gave up and were taken into custody by the Department of Justice, assisted by our incredible U.S. military with professionalism and precision, with no loss of U.S. life," Caine explained.
Trump stated at a Mar a Lago press conference that the United States will "run the country" until a safe transition can be arranged.
"We're going to run it, essentially, until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition. We don't want to be involved with having someone else get in, and we have the same situation that we had for the last long period of years."
The president announced plans to take control of Venezuela's massive oil reserves and recruit American companies to invest billions to rebuild the country's oil infrastructure.
Trump suggested he would consider opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, as potential leadership. Reports indicate Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez fled to Russia.
Congressional Democrats criticized Trump for allegedly overstepping authority with the Venezuela operation. Meanwhile, pro Maduro protesters gathered outside the White House defending the Venezuelan strongman and calling the arrest illegal intervention.
International leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Maduro's arrest, with Macron stating "people could only rejoice" that Venezuelans are "rid of the dictatorship." Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa warned "narco Chavista criminals" their time is coming.
THE CRUSADER'S OPINION
Trump did what Biden refused. Arrested a narco terrorist dictator who murdered thousands.
Operation Absolute Resolve. Delta Force. Two hours. No American casualties. Maduro in custody.
Democrats immediately complained Trump overstepped authority. Same Democrats who watched Maduro rig elections, murder citizens, traffic drugs for 25 years. Now suddenly concerned about proper procedure.
Pro Maduro protesters gathered at White House. Defending a dictator. Calling arrest illegal. Comparing to Iran, Iraq, Libya interventions. Missing the point completely.
Maduro had $50 million bounty. Indicted twice on narco terrorism. Destroyed Venezuela's economy. Rigged 2024 election against Edmundo González Urrutia. And Democrats sympathize.
Trump says U.S. will run Venezuela until safe transition. Smart. Otherwise another dictator takes power immediately. Rebuilding oil infrastructure with American companies creates jobs and denies China/Russia influence.
Maria Corina Machado won Nobel Peace Prize for opposing Maduro. Trump considering her for leadership. Actual democrat who won actual support versus installed puppet.
Vice President fled to Russia. That tells you everything about regime's loyalties. Not Venezuelan people. Moscow.
German Chancellor Merz, French President Macron both celebrated arrest. International community recognizes Maduro destroyed his country through rigged elections and corruption.
This is what American strength looks like. Not endless sanctions. Not diplomatic statements. Actual military action removing actual dictator who actually murdered thousands.
Two hour operation. Precision strike. Target arrested. No American deaths. This is competence.
TAKE ACTION
Support Venezuelan Transition: Contact representatives supporting U.S. efforts to establish legitimate democratic government in Venezuela
Pray for Venezuela: For political prisoners still detained. For families of thousands murdered by Maduro regime. For peaceful democratic transition.
Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid: Organization in New York helping Venezuelan asylum seekers rebuild lives after fleeing dictatorship
Oppose Democrat Obstruction: Contact senators and representatives who criticized Maduro's arrest, demand they explain why they defend narco terrorist dictator over justice for Venezuelan people
