Trump Claims Maduro Operation Sends “Strong Message”

President Trump says helicopters transported Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife to a warship, adding they will be taken to New York and remarking, “I hope they enjoyed the helicopter ride.”

Trump also drew a stark comparison between historic and modern losses, saying the U.S. lost 600,000 people during the Civil War, but now loses 300,000 Americans every year due to drugs.

Addressing Venezuela’s past, Trump said the country “used to be a good country” and vowed the U.S. would not allow what he described as continued destruction under Maduro’s leadership.

The president added that he urged Maduro to surrender a week ago, saying talks were close, but ultimately decided to proceed with the operation to send what he called a “strong message.”