Trump Confirms U.S. Troops Injured in Caracas Raid; Maduro Captured in Ground Operation

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump confirmed today that U.S. service members sustained injuries during a January 3 extraction operation in Caracas, officially acknowledging that active American military personnel physically entered Venezuelan territory.

While the President emphasized that the injured troops are "all in good shape," the statement serves as the definitive confirmation of Operation Absolute Resolve, an overnight raid conducted by elite U.S. forces—including Delta Force—on the ground in the Venezuelan capital. This acknowledgment verifies that U.S. special operations forces breached the terrestrial territory of Venezuela, marking a distinct escalation from previous maritime and aerial interdictions.

The operation, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, was executed under the cover of a city-wide blackout attributed to U.S. electronic warfare. While the White House reports no American fatalities, Venezuelan officials have stated there were approximately 40 deaths, including both military personnel and civilians, during the breach of the presidential palace.

This ground incursion represents the climax of a rapid intensification of military engagement under Operation Southern Spear. The timeline of escalation included a pivotal moment on December 29, 2025, when President Trump confirmed a kinetic strike on a Venezuelan docking facility. That incident marked the transition from naval blockades to direct military engagement on Venezuelan soil prior to the New Year.

The confirmation of U.S. boots on the ground creates a complex security environment in Caracas. With Maduro now facing narcoterrorism charges in the Southern District of New York, the U.S. has declared a temporary administration over the country to restore oil production. However, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has claimed the presidency, denouncing the raid as an "illegal kidnapping" and rallying diplomatic support against what she terms a violation of sovereignty.

U.S. naval assets, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, remain on high alert in the Caribbean as the administration prepares for potential counter-attacks or further instability following the power vacuum.