President Donald Trump has claimed that the US has spirited Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro out of the country and taken him into custody, marking a dramatic escalation in the Trump administration's regime change efforts.
In a speech from his Florida residence on Saturday, Trump declared that no US troops were killed in the operation to capture Maduro, which was carried out by Delta Force, the elite unit of the US Army special operations. The President claimed that this assault on Venezuela was an "assault like people have not seen since World War II", and warned that if necessary, a second and larger attack would be launched.
Trump also expressed his desire to see Venezuela transition towards a more liberal democracy, stating that he wants to do liberty for the people. He made these claims in response to recent airstrikes on Venezuelan territory and amid growing tensions between the US and the Venezuelan government.
The US has not taken direct action in Latin America since the invasion of Panama in 1989, which was a military intervention aimed at overthrowing the regime of Manuel Noriega. This move has been seen as an extension of long-running efforts by the Trump administration to topple Maduro's regime.
Critics have condemned the attack on Venezuela, with many arguing that it is an overreach of executive power and a threat to democracy in the region. The US Congress was not consulted before the operation, which has raised questions about the legitimacy of the move.
Maduro and his wife are currently being held on the USS Iwo Jima, one of the US warships deployed to the Caribbean, and are expected to face charges in New York. Maduro's capture marks a significant escalation of tensions between Venezuela and the US, with many fearing that it could lead to further instability and violence.
Trump has faced criticism for his handling of foreign policy and his efforts to undermine democracy around the world. The move to take control of Venezuela has been seen as part of a broader pattern of behavior by Trump that prioritizes US interests over international law and human rights.
As the situation in Venezuela continues to unfold, many are left wondering what this means for the country's future and the region at large.
In a speech from his Florida residence on Saturday, Trump declared that no US troops were killed in the operation to capture Maduro, which was carried out by Delta Force, the elite unit of the US Army special operations. The President claimed that this assault on Venezuela was an "assault like people have not seen since World War II", and warned that if necessary, a second and larger attack would be launched.
Trump also expressed his desire to see Venezuela transition towards a more liberal democracy, stating that he wants to do liberty for the people. He made these claims in response to recent airstrikes on Venezuelan territory and amid growing tensions between the US and the Venezuelan government.
The US has not taken direct action in Latin America since the invasion of Panama in 1989, which was a military intervention aimed at overthrowing the regime of Manuel Noriega. This move has been seen as an extension of long-running efforts by the Trump administration to topple Maduro's regime.
Critics have condemned the attack on Venezuela, with many arguing that it is an overreach of executive power and a threat to democracy in the region. The US Congress was not consulted before the operation, which has raised questions about the legitimacy of the move.
Maduro and his wife are currently being held on the USS Iwo Jima, one of the US warships deployed to the Caribbean, and are expected to face charges in New York. Maduro's capture marks a significant escalation of tensions between Venezuela and the US, with many fearing that it could lead to further instability and violence.
Trump has faced criticism for his handling of foreign policy and his efforts to undermine democracy around the world. The move to take control of Venezuela has been seen as part of a broader pattern of behavior by Trump that prioritizes US interests over international law and human rights.
As the situation in Venezuela continues to unfold, many are left wondering what this means for the country's future and the region at large.
think this is actually kinda like a movie or somethin. i mean, delta force sneakin around, takin Maduro into custody... sounds like somethin out of a spy thriller 
! and trumps all talk about libertie for the people? i get it, he wants whats best for venezuela but u gotta wonder how legit this whole thing is 
. and its crazy that theres no congress involved at all - like what happens if this doesnt go down smoothly?! 
This is getting too crazy. I mean, a full-on military operation by Delta Force? It's like something out of a movie, but not in a good way. The dude is basically saying he's above the law, and that no one can touch him. Newsflash, Donald: you don't get to decide what happens in Venezuela or anywhere else.
OMG can't believe trump is literally trying to stage a coup in venezuela like what is going on rn?? 
I'm worried about the situation in Venezuela, it seems like things are getting super complicated 
. The fact that Maduro and his wife are being held on a US warship is crazy enough, but what happens next? Will Venezuela just become some kind of puppet state for the US? 
It all feels very ominous 
. I'm not sure what to make of it, but one thing's for sure: it's got everyone in the world talking 
and whats with the delta force being involved? sounds like a bad action flick 
u think trump just goes rogue on us or wut? 
- THE US JUST KIDNAPPED THE PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA!!! 
and now maduro and his wife are being held on a us warship 
- what's next?!?! this whole situation is just so sketchy 
. What's next? A military takeover of South America? 
?
but what about all the ppl who are gonna get caught up in the crossfire? and what's next for the world if trump keeps pushin his agendahhh
. Trump's comments sound really aggressive 
, and it's not exactly reassuring that he's talking about an "assault like people have not seen since World War II" 
. What if something goes wrong on the USS Iwo Jima? It's a huge risk taking hostages and putting them in a situation where they could get hurt 
. The world is watching, and it feels like Trump is trying to play a power game 
. Can we just focus on talking things out and finding a peaceful solution for once? 
The US has been quiet in Latin America for ages, so why now? This feels super reckless and I'm getting major concerns about democracy in the region. Like, we need to wait and see how this all plays out before jumping to conclusions. 
like wut r they even thinking? Taking Maduro out of Venezuela without consulting congress or anyone else is a huge overstep of power 
can u imagine the consequences if trump pulls off another move like this again? 
. And now Maduro's wife is being held on a US warship 
. This whole thing feels so... imperialistic 
.
. I mean, I get it, Maduro's regime has been sketchy, but taking over Venezuela like a rogue nation-state isn't exactly democratic either 
I mean, I'm no expert, but taking over Venezuela like it's a reality TV show? 
I mean, we all know Trump loves a good drama, but this one takes the cake. Or should I say, it takes Maduro and locks him up in a cage? 
he's already got a track record of undermining democracy, what makes him think this will be any different? 
at least maduro got a chance 2 speak out, now hes silenced 
the whole situation is just so... complicated. can't we all just get along?