WASHINGTON, D.C. January 6, 2026 – President Donald J. Trump touted the United States military as the “most powerful” and “most fearsome” on Earth, in remarks highlighting a recent high-profile operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In a video clip shared by the official White House account on X on January 6, Trump, speaking from the White House podium flanked by American flags, stated:
“But the United States proved once again that we have the most powerful, most lethal, most sophisticated, and most fearsome—it’s a fearsome military—on planet Earth, and it’s not even close.”
He continued, emphasizing the uniqueness of U.S. capabilities: “Nobody has our weapons. Nobody has the quality of our weapons.”
The comments directly reference the U.S.-led special operation on January 3, 2026, in Caracas, Venezuela, during which American forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Maduro, indicted in the U.S. on charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, was extracted from the heavily fortified capital and flown to New York for trial.
Reports describe the operation— involving over 150 aircraft from multiple bases, ground personnel, airstrikes, and a temporary blackout in Caracas—as a demonstration of precision and overwhelming superiority, with no reported U.S. casualties. Venezuelan and Cuban sources reported dozens of their security personnel killed, with estimates ranging from 24 to 55.
The White House post, which garnered significant engagement, framed Trump’s words as a celebration of military strength: “The United States proved once again that we have the most powerful, most lethal, most sophisticated, and most fearsome, it’s a fearsome military, on planet Earth, and it’s not even close.” — President Donald J. Trump.
The operation has sparked international debate, with some nations condemning it as a violation of sovereignty, while the Trump administration has defended it as a necessary action against a designated narco-terrorist regime. Venezuela has entered a transitional phase, with interim leadership in place amid ongoing U.S. naval presence offshore.
Trump has previously described the mission as “brilliant” and “gutsy,” underscoring his administration’s focus on confronting adversaries through decisive military action.
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