U.S. President Donald Trump has boasted about a mysterious U.S. military capability he claims neutralized Russian- and Chinese-made defense systems during the dramatic operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking on Friday while delivering remarks to military families at Fort Bragg on February 13, Trump described the raid as a highly precise operation.
He said the operation was enabled by what he again hinted was a previously undisclosed weapon, adding that forces protecting the Venezuelan leader never got a shot off.”
“Unbelievable operation… smaller operation, but so precise, so incredible. Nobody thought a thing like that could happen. They even talk about the discombobulator because they never got a shot off,” Trump said.
“The Russian equipment didn’t work, the Chinese equipment didn’t work. Everyone’s trying to figure out why it didn’t work. Someday you’re gonna find out… It’s nice when you can fly in and not get shot at.”
Trump addressed military families and members of the military in North Carolina where he touted his administration’s accomplishments. He praised the U.S. military, saying it was the strongest in the world.
“With the help of everyone in this room, America has the strongest military on the face of the earth,” the president added.
Trump had first referenced the so-called “Discombobulator” in January, claiming the classified technology disabled Venezuelan air defenses during the January 3 nighttime raid in Caracas, allowing U.S. forces to extract Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, without casualties.
Also Read: Trump Reveals Secret New Weapon Used by US Military to Capture Maduro
According to him, the system rendered radar and missile platforms useless, preventing the launch of Russian- and Chinese-supplied rockets as U.S. helicopters entered Venezuelan airspace.
Maduro is currently being held in a federal detention facility in New York on narcoterrorism charges, while former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed interim leadership.
Trump signals Venezuela visit
Earlier Friday, before departing for Fort Bragg, Trump told reporters at the White House that he plans to visit Venezuela, citing what he described as strengthening ties and expanding cooperation in the oil sector.
“I’m going to make a visit to Venezuela… We haven’t decided when,” Trump said. He further praised relations with interim President Rodríguez, saying Washington and Caracas are “working together very closely,” particularly on energy.
“We have a very good relationship… The relationship we have right now with Venezuela is, I would say, a 10.”
Trump confirmed the United States is recognizing Rodríguez’s administration and said U.S. oil companies are actively operating in the country as Venezuelan crude production rises and refining partnerships expand.
Also Read: U.S. Seizes Sixth Venezuela-Linked Tanker
Rodríguez has since moved to normalize relations with the United States, with both sides expanding cooperation in energy and economic coordination.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Venezuela this week for high-level talks with the interim government, focusing on a sweeping overhaul aimed at reviving the country’s oil sector and reintegrating its vast reserves into global markets.
The visit followed the January 3 operation in which U.S. forces captured Maduro in Caracas and transferred him to New York, a turning point that triggered Venezuela’s political transition and opened the door to renewed engagement between Washington and Caracas.
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