Fox News Interview
"Maduro's Arrest Will Not Be an Issue with China"
On January 3 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a surprise operation and planned to transport him by military vessel to New York, United States.
On the 3rd (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump posted a photo of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on the social networking service (SNS) Truth Social that he created. President Trump claimed that Maduro, who was captured by U.S. forces on the same day, was aboard the U.S. military assault ship Iwo Jima. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
In an interview with Fox News that day, President Trump was asked about Maduro's current whereabouts and replied, "He is on a ship and heading to New York." On the same day, the United States attacked the Caracas area, the capital of Venezuela, at dawn and captured the anti-American President Maduro alive.
He explained that the military vessel carrying President Maduro is the Iwo Jima, an assault ship operated by the U.S. Navy. The reason for transporting President Maduro to New York is related to his indictment on drug-related charges in the U.S. District Court in New York.
President Trump stated, "We took them (President Maduro and his wife) out of Venezuela by helicopter," adding, "It must have been quite a decent flight, and I'm sure they were satisfied as well."
Regarding the operation, President Trump reported that there were no U.S. military fatalities, and although some personnel were injured, all returned safely. He added, "One helicopter was attacked, but it eventually returned."
As for the future of Venezuela's political situation following Maduro's ouster, President Trump said, "The United States will be very deeply involved," and added, "We will bring freedom to the Venezuelan people and ensure that no other force takes the place from which he was removed." He warned the remaining forces in Venezuela, "If they continue to be loyal to Maduro, their future will be very bleak."
Regarding reports that President Maduro met with a Chinese delegation just before his arrest, Trump said, "I don't know," but added, "I have a very good relationship with President Xi Jinping of China, and this issue will not be a problem." He further stated, "China will get oil from Venezuela."
Currently, China is the largest importer of Venezuelan crude oil. It is known that the United States has recently seized oil tankers near Venezuelan waters to pressure President Maduro.
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