Trump Claims U.S. Military Captures Venezuelan President Maduro in Decisive Operation

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that U.S. forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife during a military operation, reporting they are being transported to the United States for criminal prosecution in what he described as a decisive blow against international drug trafficking and regional instability.

Speaking at a Saturday afternoon press conference, Trump accused Maduro of overseeing a massive criminal enterprise responsible for drug trafficking, violence and instability affecting the United States.

“The illegitimate dictator, Maduro was the kingpin of a vast criminal network responsible for trafficking colossal amounts of deadly and illicit drugs into the United States,” Trump stated. “He personally oversaw the vicious cartel known as cartel de las Olas, which flooded our nation with lethal poison, responsible for the deaths of countless Americans — hundreds of thousands over the years.”

Trump said Maduro and his wife were taken into custody during a U.S. operation in Venezuela and are currently being transported by ship to face trial on American soil.

“Maduro and his wife will soon face the full might of American justice,” Trump added. “Right now, they’re on a ship, they’ll be heading to ultimately New York, and then a decision will be made between New York and Miami or Florida.”

The president described Maduro as remaining in power beyond the expiration of his elected term and accused him of waging a sustained campaign of violence and subversion against the United States.

“After his term as president of Venezuela expired, Maduro remained in power and waged a ceaseless campaign of violence, terror and subversion against the United States,” Trump said.

Trump also linked Maduro to violent transnational gangs operating within the United States, including the prison gang Tren de Aragua.

“In addition to trafficking gigantic amounts of illegal drugs that inflicted untold suffering across the country, Maduro sent savage and murderous gangs to terrorize American communities nationwide,” he stated.

Referring to incidents in Colorado, Trump noted: “They were in Colorado. They took over apartment complexes. They cut the fingers off people if they call the police. They were brutal, but they’re not so brutal now.”