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Trump explained that the military was fully prepared to breach the steel reinforced safe room if needed.
“We had, you know, massive blow torches and everything else that you need to get through that steel, but we didn’t need it. He didn’t make it to that area of the house.”
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The president also stressed the remarkable outcome of the operation, noting that no American service members were killed and no aircraft were lost.
“You know, that we had nobody killed. Was amazing. I think we had nobody killed, I have to say, because a couple of guys were hit, but they came back, and they’re supposed to be in pretty good shape.”
Trump added that while one helicopter sustained damage, it was successfully recovered, and all personnel returned safely.
Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and transported by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima, where they are now being held before facing trial in New York. Trump confirmed the indictments were filed in the Southern District of New York.
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“They’ll be heading to New York. You know, they were indicted in New York.”
“They went by helicopter in a nice flight.”
Trump did not soften his assessment of the Venezuelan leader, describing him as a brutal figure who used violence to cling to power.
“But they’ve killed a lot of people. Remember that. They killed a lot of people and even people in their own country. They killed a lot of people to maintain power. He’s a very vicious person.”
The president also revealed that the operation could have escalated even further. U.S. forces had positioned a massive naval presence around Venezuela and were fully prepared to launch a second wave of strikes if necessary.
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“We were prepared to do a second wave. We were all set and very— this was so lethal, this was so powerful that we didn’t have to, but we’re prepared.”
Trump described the scale of the military force as unprecedented.
“We’re out there with an armada like nobody’s ever seen before, and we’re prepared, and were prepared.”
When asked whether the operation sent a message to Mexico, Trump said it was not intended as a warning to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum personally, but he made clear that the situation south of the border remains unacceptable.
“Well, it wasn’t meant to be, we’re very friendly with her, she’s a good woman, but the cartels are running Mexico. She’s not running Mexico. The cartels are running Mexico.”
Trump said he has repeatedly offered U.S. assistance to eliminate cartel leadership, only to be turned down.
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“And I’ve asked her numerous times, would you like us to take out the cartels? ‘No, no no, Mr. President, no no, no, please.’”
The president tied cartel violence directly to the staggering loss of American lives from drug trafficking.
“We lost— the real number is 300,000 people, in my opinion.”
“They like to say 100,000. 100,000 is a lot of people, but the real number is 300,000 people, and we lost it to drugs.”
Trump concluded by warning that continued inaction is no longer sustainable.
“Something’s gonna have to be done with Mexico.”
President Trump is expected to address the nation later today following the operation. An 11 a.m. Eastern press conference was delayed and is expected to begin shortly at the time of publication.
This developing story underscores a clear message from the Trump administration. American power is back. And those who threaten U.S. lives and security will no longer hide behind fortresses, borders, or fear.
