Key Facts
- ✓ President Donald Trump revealed details of the US military operation 'Absolute Resolve' in Venezuela.
- ✓ The operation involved over 150 aircraft to raid a heavily fortified military fortress in Caracas.
- ✓ No US military personnel were killed and no assets were lost during the operation.
- ✓ Trump stated the US will run Venezuela until an election can be held.
- ✓ Major US oil companies are set to enter the Venezuelan market to repair infrastructure.
Quick Summary
President Donald Trump has provided the first official details regarding the US military assault on Venezuela. During a press conference held at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Saturday, the President described the operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple has been indicted by a US federal court.
The operation, designated as 'Absolute Resolve,' was described as an extraordinary military effort involving air, land, and sea assets. According to the President, the mission successfully targeted a heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas. Following the capture, President Trump outlined a significant shift in US policy regarding Venezuela, stating that the United States will assume administrative control of the country. Additionally, plans were announced for major US oil companies to enter the Venezuelan market to repair infrastructure. The President emphasized the success of the mission, noting that no US personnel were lost and that the US is prepared for further action if required.
The 'Absolute Resolve' Operation
President Trump characterized the military action as an 'extraordinary military operation' that took place overnight and into the early morning. The mission targeted a 'heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas.' During the press conference, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine provided specifics on the scale of the deployment. The apprehension mission involved the use of assets and weapons across air, land, and sea domains, with additional support from intelligence, space, and cyber assets.
Gen. Caine detailed that the operation utilized over 150 aircraft. The fleet included:
- Fighter jets
- Bombers
- Electronic warfare planes
- Intelligence and surveillance aircraft
- Helicopters and drones
Some assets were tasked with disabling Venezuelan defenses and providing cover, while others were dedicated to infiltration and extraction. President Trump added that the US employed 'certain expertise' to turn off the lights in Caracas, contributing to the overwhelming of the Venezuelan military by US forces.
"an extraordinary military operation"
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
US Casualties and Equipment Status
President Trump reported that there were no deaths among US forces involved in the attack. He further stated that none of the assets used during the operation were lost. However, the President did note that an American helicopter was hit 'pretty hard' during the attack. Gen. Caine confirmed the strike on the aircraft but clarified that the helicopter remained flyable.
During the presser, President Trump described the mission as 'one of the most stunning, effective, and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history.' He drew comparisons to the January 2020 US drone strike that assassinated Iranian military officer Qasem Soleimani, as well as other military operations.
Future Governance and Oil Interests
A significant portion of the press conference focused on the future administration of Venezuela. President Trump stated that the US 'is going to run' Venezuela until such time as a 'safe, proper, and judicious transition' can be achieved. He noted that by law, Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, should assume power, but added that she 'really doesn't have a choice' but to accept US involvement.
The President indicated that the plan would be managed by officials present at the conference, including Stephen Miller, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Gen. Caine. Furthermore, President Trump announced that the biggest US oil companies will be going to Venezuela. He stated they would spend 'billions of dollars' to fix the 'badly broken' oil infrastructure and start making money for the country. Venezuela is home to the world's largest proven crude oil reserves.
Potential for Further Action
President Trump issued a warning regarding the potential for continued military engagement. He stated that the US is ready to conduct a second attack, describing it as 'a much bigger wave,' on Venezuela if needed. Despite this readiness, the President expressed confidence in the initial strike, noting, 'We actually assumed that a second wave would be necessary, but now it's probably not.' He cited the success of the first attack as the reason for this assessment.
"a heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas"
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
"certain expertise"
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
"This was one of the most stunning, effective, and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history"
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
"the US will run Venezuela"
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
"really doesn't have a choice"
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
"spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country"
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
"a much bigger wave"
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
"We actually assumed that a second wave would be necessary, but now it's probably not"
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
