Trump : praises the military action in Venezuela as “brilliant.”
Trump : President Donald Trump praised American Marines for what he termed a “brilliant” execution under perilous circumstances, characterizing the US military operation that resulted in the detention of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as a highly sophisticated and tactically accurate mission.
Speaking at the House GOP Members’ Retreat, Trump said that there were serious hazards associated with the operation, including as intense gunfire aimed at US helicopters as soldiers advanced. Despite being exposed throughout the attack, he added, American soldiers prevailed without any US casualties.
Trump referred to the mission as “an incredible thing” and “brilliant tactically,” saying it was “an amazing military feat.” He said that US military had “a lot of boots on the ground” and that the operation required a great deal of cooperation and surprise.
After years of US dissatisfaction with Venezuela’s government, Trump claimed that Maduro’s detention was a turning point. He said that millions have suffered under Maduro’s reign and accused him of supervising massive persecution and bloodshed.
“He is a violent individual,” Trump said. “Millions of people have been killed by him.”
Noting that power was interrupted during the attack and that Caracas was left without electricity, the president said that the scope and pace of the operation took Venezuelan military by surprise. He said that the disturbance had a part in the tactical surprise.
Trump said that “there was no electricity” and that just a few individuals had light, mostly from candles.
Trump presented the operation as a component of a larger effort to combat what he called “narco-terror states” in the Western Hemisphere. He said that Venezuela was now a source of crime, narcotics, and instability that the US was experiencing.
In addition to Venezuela, Trump said. “It’s what Venezuela is releasing.”
He said that the United States had significantly decreased marine drug trafficking associated with the nation. “Drugs by sea are down 97 percent,” Trump said, adding that enforcement will now extend to land routes.
Trump denied claims that the operation was motivated only by regime-change or oil interests. Rather, he presented it as a security need connected to established US policy.
Trump made reference to the Monroe Doctrine when he said, “It’s our hemisphere.” Other presidents were unable to see it. I didn’t.
He said that the operation proved the military might of the United States. Trump said, “Nobody has our weapons.” “No one’s weapons are as good as ours.”
Trump said that the operation in Venezuela changed the balance of power in the area and sent a clear message to foes, making it one of the most important geopolitical moves the US has made in years.