The American Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, praised the mission to capture Maduro, emphasizing that the USA will determine the future of Venezuela.

In an interview for CBS News, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth praised the courage of the troops involved in this mission, emphasizing that the decision to capture Maduro was made in the name of freedom and security. Hegseth stated that President Trump has demonstrated leadership and that the future of Venezuela will be dictated by the U.S., for the benefit of both America and the Venezuelan people. Trump also declared that the U.S. will lead Venezuela during a transition period, while the Supreme Court of Venezuela appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim president. Trump invoked the Monroe Doctrine to justify the intervention, stating that American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will not be contested.