Donald Trump, the President of the United States, confirmed that he personally authorized the operation, describing it as a response to "national security threats." The operation was named "Midnight Hammer," and Trump stated that Maduro's power "has ended," and that the U.S. would temporarily govern Venezuela until a "lawful transfer of power."
The editorial team of Kaktus.media has gathered the main facts known at this time.
- The Pentagon informed the U.S. Congress that it received permission from Trump to conduct the operation in response to "national security threats." This information was reported by the Washington Post.
- The operation involved about 150 aircraft that struck Venezuela's air defense systems, facilitating the landing of special forces from helicopters. Trump later stated that the operation went "perfectly."
- The U.S. special forces had previously built a model of Maduro's house to practice the assault, as Trump mentioned on Fox News.
- According to him, Maduro attempted to hide in a bunker and escape but was "surprised" by American forces. Trump stated that the capture took 47 seconds, with no American military personnel injured.
- According to The New York Times, a source close to Maduro assisted American military forces in tracking his location before the arrest. It was also reported that Venezuelan military personnel participated in the operation, and a person close to the opposition called Maduro's removal "the work of his people."
- According to Pentagon data, Trump ordered the operation to begin on January 2 at 10:46 PM Eastern Time. The special forces took off at 1:01 AM, and at 3:29 AM, a helicopter delivered Maduro and Flores to the American aircraft carrier "Iwo Jima."
- They were first transported to a military base in Guantanamo, and then an FBI plane took the couple to the U.S.
- At a press conference, Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Maduro an "illegitimate president" and accused him and his wife of "narcoterrorism," cocaine smuggling, and possession of weapons. The accusations against Maduro were made as early as 2020.
- According to CNN and NBC News, on January 3, an FBI plane delivered Maduro and Flores to Stewart Air Force Base in New York, after which they were taken to the headquarters of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for biometric data collection, and then placed in a federal detention center in Brooklyn. The White House released a video showing Maduro in handcuffs walking down a corridor with DEA agents. They are expected to appear in court in New York on January 5.
- The New York Times reports 40 fatalities as a result of the operation, citing a high-ranking Venezuelan official.
- Trump stated that Maduro's power "has ended" and that he is no longer president. He added that the U.S. will "govern Venezuela" until a lawful transfer of power, and will also restore the oil infrastructure and invest billions of dollars in the country's economy. The president also did not rule out a "second wave" of the operation if necessary.
- Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth emphasized that the operation was carried out to ensure the safety and well-being of the American people. He noted that U.S. adversaries should understand that America is capable of "projecting its will at any time and in any place."
- Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stated that Maduro remains the only legitimate president, condemned the "armed aggression of the U.S.," and emphasized that Venezuela will not become a colony, and its resources belong to the people.
- The Supreme Court of Venezuela temporarily appointed Delcy Rodríguez as president to ensure continuity of governance. She previously addressed the nation, surrounded by senior officials and representatives of the security forces.
- Trump also noted that he did not discuss the situation in Venezuela with Vladimir Putin and does not expect a deterioration in relations between Moscow and Washington due to the operation. The president also reiterated his warnings to Colombian leader Gustavo Petro.
