US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision to target only Nicolás Maduro and his wife in the Venezuela operation. Rubio explained that the mission was specifically aimed at the top-priority target of Maduro. He clarified that the operation was not designed to capture multiple officials simultaneously, addressing criticism about other indicted Venezuelan figures remaining in power.
Rubio highlighted the challenges faced during the arrest, emphasizing the complexity of landing helicopters in a major military base where Maduro was located. He detailed the swift and precise execution of the mission, involving the arrest of Maduro within minutes, without any US casualties or losses. Rubio firmly responded to queries about why additional officials were not detained simultaneously, stating that expanding the operation’s scope would have faced heavy criticism.
The Secretary of State underscored the significance of Maduro’s arrest as a crucial development. He emphasized that Maduro, an indicted drug trafficker, lacked international recognition and was not considered the legitimate president of Venezuela. Rubio commended the extraordinary coordination and skill displayed by US military personnel in executing the operation, describing it as one of the most daring and sophisticated missions in recent times.
Rubio rejected claims that the operation left the regime intact, asserting that removing Maduro was pivotal as he falsely claimed legitimacy. He mentioned that future actions would be based on circumstances, with various leverage options such as sanctions and enforcement measures already in place.
