• Trump confirms US forces operated on Venezuelan soil during Maduro capture operation
• President says America “not afraid” to deploy troops, ready for second wave if needed
• Operation involved more than 150 aircraft and elite Delta Force units spending hours on ground

WASHINGTON (TDR) — President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that United States military forces operated on Venezuelan soil during the overnight operation that captured President Nicolás Maduro, declaring “we had boots on the ground last night at a very high level.”

Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate hours after the strike, Trump announced the US would “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” can occur, leaving open the possibility of continued American military presence in the South American nation.

Reporter: Will U.S. Troops be on the ground? How will that work?

Trump: We are not afraid of boots on the ground. We had boots on the ground last night. We are not afraid of it. We’re going to run the country right. It’s going to make a lot of money. They stole our oil. pic.twitter.com/fSMU7zaEYq

— Acyn (@Acyn) January 3, 2026

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10

“We’re not afraid of boots on the ground if we have to,” Trump told reporters. “We had boots on the ground last night. Actually, we’re not afraid of it, we don’t mind saying it, but we’re going to make sure that that country is run properly.”

Operation Details Revealed

The president and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine provided extensive details about “Operation Absolute Resolve”, which involved more than 150 aircraft launched from across the Western Hemisphere.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE THE DUPREE REPORT

Trump approved the operation at 10:46 p.m. EST Friday, with forces reaching Maduro’s compound at 1:01 a.m. EST Saturday. The US Army’s elite Delta Force, assisted by FBI Hostage Rescue Team members, spent several hours on the ground before extracting Maduro and his wife at 3:29 a.m. EST.

“The coordination, the stealth, the lethality, the precision, the very long arm of American justice all on full display in the middle of the night,” Trump said during his press conference.

US forces came under fire during the operation, with several troops sustaining bullet and shrapnel wounds. One helicopter was hit but remained flyable. Trump emphasized no American service members were killed.

“We’re not afraid of boots on the ground if we have to. We had boots on the ground last night at a very high level.”

Ready for Second Wave

Trump said the United States stands prepared to launch “a second and much larger attack” if necessary to secure American objectives in Venezuela.

“We are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so,” Trump declared. “We were prepared to do a second wave, but this was so lethal we didn’t have to.”

The operation utilized F-18, F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, B-1 bombers and drones. Military planners waited four days for weather conditions to clear before executing the strike. “The weather has to be perfect,” Trump explained in a Fox News interview.

US Administration Plans

Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other officials would oversee Venezuela’s administration. He confirmed Rubio spoke with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez about next steps.

“It’s largely going to be for a period of time the people that are standing right behind me,” Trump said, gesturing to his cabinet officials. “We’re going to be running it.”

The president said American oil companies would enter Venezuela to rebuild infrastructure and extract resources, with military backup if needed. “We’re going to be taking out a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground,” Trump said, adding proceeds would benefit Venezuelans and reimburse the United States.

Congressional Backlash

Critics immediately challenged the operation’s legal basis, noting Trump did not seek congressional approval before launching military action against a sovereign nation.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump’s plan to run Venezuela “should strike fear in the hearts of all Americans.” Senator Chris Van Hollen called it “a grave abuse of power” and “an act of war.”

Even some Republicans expressed concern. Representative Don Bacon said while Maduro’s capture benefits Venezuelans, he worries “Russia will use this to justify their illegal and barbaric military actions against Ukraine, or China to justify an invasion of Taiwan.”

Trump defended bypassing Congress, saying “Congress has a tendency to leak” and emphasizing speed was essential. Intelligence committee leaders were reportedly notified only after the operation began.

Will Trump’s boots-on-the-ground approach in Venezuela succeed in establishing a stable transition, or will it entangle America in another costly foreign intervention?

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10