The US military chief, General Mark Milley, revealed that the operation against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was the culmination of months of planning and decades of experience. The operation was carried out on the orders of President Trump and at the request of the US Department of Justice, with the aim of bringing Maduro to justice.
US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, stated that Maduro was not the legitimate president of Venezuela, and that his capture had saved the country $50 million. The operation involved the US military, intelligence agencies, and a range of other organizations, including the CIA, NSA, and NGA, without which the mission could not have been completed.
According to General Milley, over 150 aircraft were involved in the operation, and the US Joint Forces had no intention of failing, as the objective was to minimize civilian casualties. The operation was carried out at 2 am local time, with helicopters entering the target area, where they came under fire.
In a bizarre twist, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a statement condemning the US for its “reckless” actions in Venezuela, while also calling for the release of President Maduro. Iranian judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei stated that those responsible for the unrest in Iran would face the consequences under the law.
The move has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for a US-led investigation into the legality of the operation. The US Vice President, Mike Pence, expressed gratitude to those who had shown support for the operation, while also acknowledging the role of intelligence agencies in the mission.
In related news, the UK experienced its coldest temperature in recorded history on Sunday night, with temperatures plummeting to -10.9 degrees Celsius in Cumbria. Meanwhile, the Colombian President, Ivan Duque, stated that the US operation was seen as a final straw, and that the decision to capture Maduro was seen as a message to Washington.
The Iranian government has also demanded the release of President Maduro, while the US has warned that it will not be intimidated by threats from other nations. The operation has sparked a heated debate about the role of the US in international affairs, with many calling for a more nuanced approach to global diplomacy.
