A photo of the Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro, has been shared online by the US President, Donald Trump, hours after the US launched a military strike on the South American nation
A picture appearing to show Nicolas Maduro after he was taken by US forces(Image: TRUTH SOCIAL/DONALD TRUMP)
Donald Trump has posted an image of President Nicolas Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima, just hours following a US military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his spouse.
The picture, shared via Truth Social, featured the simple description “Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima” and appeared on the American President’s official account.
The individual, identified by the President as Mr Maduro, appears with a dark covering over his eyes and headphones placed on his ears.
The US conducted a wave of airstrikes against the nation, after months of escalating friction between the two countries concerning suspected drug smuggling operations through the Caribbean originating from Venezuela. A bold operation was executed by United States Special Operations personnel, including the team that participated in the elimination of al-Qaeda chief, Osama bin Laden.
Mr Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, have been charged in New York for drug and gun offences. Mr Trump posted the image online whilst addressing journalists at a press conference held at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, reports the Express.
During the briefing he declared to reporters “we are going to run the country”. In another post, the President uploaded a one minute 24 second video, seemingly a compilation of footage from the military operations that rocked the nation in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The collection of clips was set to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son,” originally an anti-war anthem from the Vietnam era about wealthy families’ children dodging conscription.
Venezuela’s opposition figurehead, María Corina Machado, praised the US military action which resulted in the ousting of socialist Dictator Nicolas Maduro, declaring: “We have fought for years, given everything, and it has been worth it”.
A picture appearing to show Nicolas Maduro after he was taken by US forces(Image: TRUTH SOCIAL/DONALD TRUMP)
The South American mission was carried out under cover of darkness, and will now see the Latin American strongman brought before an American court. He stands accused of heading up an organisation known as the ‘Cartel of the Suns’, a network of high-ranking military officers and government figures who US prosecutors claim accepted millions in kickbacks from guerrilla commanders in neighbouring Colombia over more than 20 years, whilst enabling cocaine trafficking through Venezuela destined for the US and Europe.
During Saturday afternoon’s press conference, Mr Trump declared that Venezuela’s oil industry had gone “bust”, claiming US companies would need to enter and “start making money for the country”. He also issued a warning that America stood “ready” to launch a second, more substantial attack on the nation, which Mr Trump described as a “second wave”.
He praised the armed forces for their “breathtaking speed, power, precision and competence”, stating that no US servicemen lost their lives in the operation which toppled Maurdo. Mr Trump further announced that Americans would “run” the country until “such a time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition” of power.