U.S. President Donald Trump held a press conference at his private residence, Mar-a-Lago, Florida, announcing that the United States had launched a large-scale raid on Venezuela, successfully capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, and stating that the United States would temporarily take over the administration of Venezuela.
Trump emphasized that the United States will "manage this country until we can achieve a safe, proper and prudent transition of power." He did not disclose specific methods of takeover or future leaders, but indicated that the United States will govern with "a team" and "assign people from all sides" to assist in operations.
The military operation was a complete success with no casualties, and the US described it as "one of the most impressive military exercises in history."
Trump praised the operation as "one of the most amazing, effective, and powerful demonstrations in U.S. military history." He proudly stated, "Not a single U.S. soldier was killed, not a single piece of U.S. equipment was destroyed, and a large number of helicopters, aircraft, and personnel were used."
According to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, the operation mobilized more than 150 military aircraft, which took off simultaneously from various parts of the Americas, successfully achieving a tactical surprise attack and delivering U.S. intervention forces into the city center of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, to achieve its main mission objectives.
Maduro accused of drug trafficking; Vice President sworn in as president.
Maduro and his wife have been transferred to the United States, where they have already been indicted on drug trafficking charges in the Southern District of New York. Trump stated that Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as acting president and is in contact with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump stated, "She is basically willing to cooperate with our plan to make Venezuela great again." However, there are doubts about whether Rodriguez genuinely supports the US action.
Rubio admitted that the military operation was not communicated to Congress in advance, which sparked dissatisfaction and legal questions from many Democratic members.
Congress and academia strongly object: Will the tragedy of Iraq repeat itself?
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer strongly condemned Trump's decision to launch military action abroad without congressional authorization, calling it "extremely reckless" and warning, "Trump's plan to 'govern' Venezuela should make all Americans uneasy. We've been through this before, and we paid a heavy price."
Mary Ellen O'Connell, an expert in international law and conflict resolution and a professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School, likened the operation to a repeat of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.
She stated, "Trump's initial intention to combat drug crime is commendable, but his actions in Venezuela are not an effective approach." She emphasized that successful nations require "an independent judiciary, a fair judicial system, and respect for the rule of law," principles that Trump's actions have violated.
With future developments unclear, Venezuela may be plunged into turmoil.
The US has not yet publicly disclosed its next steps or announced which international or local powers it will cooperate with in governing Venezuela. Although Trump claims it is a "safe and orderly" regime change, the international community and domestic and international experts largely doubt its long-term stability and legitimacy.
O'Connor stated bluntly, "If history is any guide, Venezuela's future will likely follow the same path as Iraq, descending into chaos."
This article, titled "The Raid Shocked the World, Trump: The US Will Temporarily 'Take Over' Venezuela," first appeared on ABMedia ABMedia .
