US President Donald Trump has provided new, graphic details of the military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, describing it as a "tactically brilliant" mission where "many" were killed, with the fatalities being "mostly Cubans".
Trump Hails 'Amazing Military Feat'
In an address at the Kennedy Centre on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, President Trump heralded what he called an "amazing military feat". He stated that while the US had "a lot of boots on the ground", no American personnel were killed. "And on the other side, a lot of people were killed. Unfortunately, I say that, soldiers, Cubans, mostly Cubans, but many, many killed," Trump said. He characterised the deposed Venezuelan president as a "bad guy" and a "violent guy" who had "killed millions of people".
The president described the operation as "complex" and revealed that electricity to "almost the entire country" was cut off during the mission, which involved a staggering 152 aircraft. He also took aim at US Democrats for failing to congratulate him on Maduro's seizure.
Conflicting Reports on Casualty Figures
The claims have been met with varying reports from the ground. Venezuela's military stated on Saturday that at least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed. The Cuban government said on Sunday that 32 Cuban military and police officers working in Venezuela died in the operation.
Venezuela's attorney-general, Tarek Saab, said "dozens" of officials and civilians were killed and announced a team of three prosecutors would investigate the deaths. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported its analysis found more civilians were killed in the strikes, though a precise number was not immediately clear.
Political Fallout and Maduro's Defiance
The operation has sparked significant political controversy. US House Speaker Mike Johnson sought to downplay the scale of the intervention, stating it was "not a regime change" operation and he did not expect a continued US troop deployment on the ground.
However, a briefing for US Congress leaders on Monday was met with criticism. Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said the session "posed far more questions than it answered". Internationally, Attorney-General Saab criticised the US for having "no jurisdiction" to seize Maduro, who faces drugs and weapons charges in New York.
In Venezuela, defiance continues. Footage emerged of interior minister Diosdado Cabello and armed men chanting "Loyal forever, traitors never" in support of Maduro. At his arraignment hearing, Maduro told the court he had been "kidnapped" and declared himself a "prisoner of war".
In a related development, CBS News reported the US is planning to intercept a sanctioned tanker, the Marinera, used to carry Venezuelan crude oil. Sources indicated the US would prefer to capture the vessel, part of a 'shadow fleet' serving sanctioned nations, rather than sink it.
