President Donald Trump spoke publicly following the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, describing the ousted leader as a “violent guy” responsible for widespread human rights abuses. Speaking from a podium adorned with American flags, Trump highlighted the January 3, 2026, Delta Force-led operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, which successfully extracted Maduro from Caracas without casualties among U.S. personnel.

Trump emphasized Maduro’s role in orchestrating repression, noting the existence of torture chambers in the heart of the Venezuelan capital. He further cited millions of victims of the regime’s policies, referencing reports of over 15,000 arbitrary detentions and an estimated 300,000 excess deaths from 2013 to 2023, according to UN and Human Rights Watch assessments.

The operation underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to confronting international narco-terrorism and violent authoritarian regimes. By targeting Maduro directly, U.S. forces demonstrated both precision and restraint, while holding accountable a leader accused of systematically oppressing his population.

Supporters argue that the mission reflects a broader policy of deterrence and justice, signaling that the United States will act decisively against global threats to security and human rights. The successful extraction of Maduro without American casualties highlights the operational superiority and planning of U.S. special forces under the current administration.