President Donald Trump announced that he will bestow the Congressional Medal of Honor on a military member who played a pivotal role in the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.
"We had a remarkable visit to Fort Bragg. We met with many heroes... One individual will receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for what recently transpired in Venezuela... They are exceptional warriors and patriots," Trump stated to reporters on Saturday.
On Friday, Trump met with special forces at Fort Bragg who executed the military operation on January 3rd in Caracas.
Alongside First Lady Melania Trump, who introduced him as a leader dedicated to "peace through strength," the President honored the troops involved in "Operation Absolute Resolution," the mission that brought an end to Maduro's regime in Venezuela.
"We possess the world's most powerful military," Trump declared to the soldiers, emphasizing that his administration had moved past "the scourge of political correctness" within the armed forces.
While taking the opportunity to project a narrative of unyielding power, linking military actions against Iran and the Venezuelan operation in one speech, the most striking moment came as Trump detailed the capture of Maduro. He described it as a swift, forceful, and technologically advanced mission.
Trump recounted that Maduro was located at one of South America's largest military bases, and U.S. troops arrived before he could seek shelter.
He mentioned that the Chavista leader was behind "steel gates," and the U.S. forces had sufficient equipment to breach them effortlessly. "They arrived before he could hide. But that wouldn't have mattered because they had the gear to break through those gates," he added.
The President also hinted at the use of special technology to neutralize foreign defenses. He claimed that "stun devices" played a crucial role and asserted that Chinese and Russian equipment failed during the operation. "Well, they'll find out someday, but they didn't work," he remarked.
Trump acknowledged that some U.S. pilots sustained injuries during the operation as helicopters landed under machine-gun fire. However, he highlighted that they managed to extract Maduro within minutes. "By the time they realized what happened, the helicopters were already departing," he noted.
According to his account, that night the "world witnessed what American military might can achieve."
The early hours of January 3rd were marked by explosions in Caracas, the Delta Force's entry into the presidential complex, and the neutralization of the Cuban security ring protecting the Venezuelan leader. In under 30 minutes, Maduro and Cilia Flores were apprehended while attempting to take refuge in a bunker, according to journalistic reconstructions based on satellite images and intelligence reports.
Key Moments in Maduro's Capture
What was "Operation Absolute Resolution"?
"Operation Absolute Resolution" was the military mission designed to end Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela by capturing him in Caracas.
How did U.S. forces manage to capture Maduro?
U.S. forces located Maduro at a major military base in South America and arrived before he could hide. They had the necessary equipment to breach defenses quickly and effectively.
What role did technology play in the operation?
Advanced technology, including special stun devices, was used to neutralize foreign defenses. Allegedly, Chinese and Russian equipment failed to function during the attack.