In a dramatic late-night military intervention, United States forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas on Saturday. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has framed the audacious operation as a strategic masterstroke, explicitly contrasting it with the costly and protracted 2003 invasion of Iraq.
A 'Bold and Audacious' Departure from Past Interventions
Addressing widespread American concerns over foreign entanglements, Hegseth emphasized that the Venezuela mission was meticulously planned to avoid the pitfalls of previous wars. "This was a bold and audacious move, but it was thought through. It was well orchestrated," Hegseth stated in an interview with CBS Evening News. He stressed that the objective was achieved without putting American troops in prolonged danger, a key distinction from past engagements.
Hegseth drew a direct comparison to the Iraq War, which he described as a decades-long commitment purchased with American blood and yielding little economic return. "It's the exact opposite," he declared. "President Trump flips the script. Through strategic action, we can ensure that we have access to additional wealth and resources... without having to spend American blood."
Charges, Extradition, and a Plan for Venezuela's Future
Following their capture in the joint operation involving US intelligence and law enforcement, Maduro and Flores were swiftly flown out of Venezuela. They now face serious legal charges in the United States. Former President Donald Trump confirmed that both have been indicted by the Southern District of New York on allegations of "drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies" and will stand trial.
Outlining the US's immediate roadmap for the South American nation, Trump announced that America would oversee Venezuela's governance during a transitional period. "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition. We want peace, justice and liberty for the great people of Venezuela," he said.
Economic Focus: Unlocking Venezuela's Oil Wealth
The post-operation plan has a clear economic cornerstone. Trump revealed intentions to involve major US oil corporations in rehabilitating Venezuela's crippled petroleum infrastructure. "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies... go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure... and start making money for the country," he stated. This move signals a direct intent to harness Venezuela's vast natural resources, aligning with Hegseth's comments on securing economic benefits.
This high-stakes operation marks a significant escalation in US-Venezuela relations, promising a new chapter for the oil-rich nation under direct American oversight, while its former leader awaits a courtroom battle thousands of miles away.
