Trump spoke about an operation called "Midnight Hammer" and noted that the U.S. is ready to carry out a "second wave" of military actions in Venezuela if necessary. He added that there is currently no need for this.
According to him, this attack has a precedent that the world has not seen since World War II. "When our military, together with U.S. law enforcement, caught Maduro in the middle of the night, all the capabilities of the Venezuelan army became useless," the president noted.
Trump also mentioned that Nicolás Maduro and his wife will be held accountable in the U.S., as he is no longer the president of the country.
The U.S. president emphasized that Maduro led the drug cartel Cartel de los Soles and added that America has managed to cut off 97% of the drugs coming from Venezuela.
"We will ensure that the people of Venezuela become rich, independent, and safe. The U.S. is focused on a fair and safe transition of power in the country. We created the Venezuelan oil industry, and the socialist regime seized it by force," Trump stated.
In response, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez noted that Venezuela will not become a colony. She emphasized that the country's leadership will protect its natural resources, which belong to the people, commenting on Trump's threats to seize oil fields.
Earlier, it was reported that explosions were heard in Caracas on the night of January 3, and international news agencies reported a series of airstrikes on the capital of Venezuela.
In early September 2025, Trump sent eight warships to the southern Caribbean Sea, explaining this as a fight against drug trafficking. The president of Venezuela characterized the actions of the U.S. as a "hostile siege" and appealed to the UN to ensure the respect for the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. In response, Trump stated that a Venezuelan drug boat was sunk by the U.S. Navy in the Caribbean Sea and ordered the cessation of all diplomatic contacts with Venezuela. He also declared that the U.S. will continue to fight drug traffickers abroad without the permission of Congress.
