Overview
- Speaking to House Republicans, Trump praised the special-forces operation as “brilliant,” claimed no U.S. fatalities, and said many of Maduro’s guards, including Cubans, were killed.
- The New York Times previously reported that Maduro’s public dancing signaled defiance to U.S. officials, and Trump’s comments echoed that perception of mockery.
- Maduro and Cilia Flores remain in U.S. custody following a Manhattan arraignment on long-standing narcoterrorism and drug charges, with plea accounts differing across outlets.
- Reports continue to dispute casualty totals from the raid, as Venezuelan and Cuban sources cite significant losses and Caracas installs Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez as acting leader.
- Trump has suggested the U.S. will oversee Venezuela and its oil during a transition, a stance drawing diplomatic and legal scrutiny at the U.N. and from foreign governments.