Trump praises Venezuela operation, vows faster US weapons production

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday commended the military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, stressing that the scale and coordination of the mission demonstrated Washington’s unmatched military capabilities. Addressing members of the House Republican Conference in Washington, Trump said the Venezuela operation involved extensive air and ground components and marked a turning point in US force projection.

Details of the military operation

Trump described the mission as involving 152 aircraft alongside special forces deployed on the ground, emphasizing that no US personnel were killed. He claimed heavy losses occurred on the opposing side and said the operation included shutting down electricity across most of Venezuela, disrupting communications and infrastructure. “That’s when they understood something was wrong,” he said, referring to the nationwide blackout.

Weapons capability and production push

Highlighting US military superiority, Trump argued that no other country could have executed such a complex operation. He said the real challenge for Washington was not technology but production speed, promising tougher measures on defense companies to ensure weapons are manufactured more rapidly. “We are not letting delays continue,” he said, signaling a shift toward faster defense output.

Maduro capture and strategic goals

Referring to Maduro, Trump said US authorities had pursued him for years, accusing the Venezuelan leader of violence and repression. Washington confirmed that Operation Absolute Resolve included airstrikes on air defense and communications sites in northern Venezuela, while special units carried out raids in Caracas to detain Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The administration has framed the action as part of a revived Monroe Doctrine, linking it to counter-narcotics efforts, corruption allegations, and securing influence over Venezuela’s oil reserves, developments closely followed by Türkiye and other regional actors.