President Donald Trump has hailed a "brilliant" and "complex" military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, while revealing that several American troops were injured during the mission. The incident, which took place on Tuesday 6 January 2026, resulted in significant casualties among Venezuelan and Cuban personnel, according to officials.
Details of the Military Operation
In an address at the Kennedy Centre, President Trump described the action as an "amazing military feat." He stated that while no US military personnel were killed, "a lot of people were killed" on the opposing side, specifying that the fatalities were "mostly Cubans." The operation involved a substantial force, with the President noting 152 aircraft were deployed and electricity to almost the entire country was cut off to aid the mission.
However, a Pentagon official informed Sky News' US partner NBC News that at least seven US service members were injured during the operation. One soldier sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the legs. While five have since returned to duty, two remain in recovery.
Casualty Claims and International Reaction
The Venezuelan military has reported that at least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed. Meanwhile, Cuba's government stated that 32 Cuban military and police officers working in Venezuela died. Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has declared a seven-day period of mourning for the fallen military members.
Venezuelan Attorney-General Tarek Saab said "dozens" of officials and civilians were killed and announced an investigation by a team of three prosecutors. He also criticised the US for seizing Maduro to face drugs and weapons charges in New York, arguing America lacked jurisdiction.
Political Fallout and Ongoing Tensions
President Trump criticised US Democrats for not congratulating him on Maduro's capture, labelling the deposed leader a "bad guy" who had "killed millions of people." His remarks came as footage emerged of Venezuela's interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, and armed supporters chanting in loyalty to Maduro.
In Washington, a congressional briefing on the operation by Secretary of State Marco Rubio was met with criticism. Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer said the session "posed far more questions than it answered." US House Speaker Mike Johnson sought to clarify the mission's scope, stating it was "not a regime change" operation and he did not expect a continued US troop deployment on the ground.
In related developments, US forces are believed to be planning to intercept a sanctioned tanker, the Marinera, used to carry Venezuelan crude oil. This forms part of a broader campaign against a "shadow fleet" of ships illegally transporting oil between sanctioned nations like Venezuela, Iran, and Russia.
