The Washington Post editorial board praised President Donald Trump’s decision to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, calling the operation a bold and decisive move that delivered a clear tactical victory while warning that the harder challenge lies ahead in shaping Venezuela’s future.
In an opinion essay published after Saturday’s operation, the editorial board said millions of Venezuelans and others worldwide are celebrating Maduro’s downfall, arguing the U.S.-led mission showcased unmatched American military, intelligence, and cyber capabilities.
The board described the operation, which involved extensive air support and Delta Force troops, as an "unquestionable tactical success," noting that Maduro and his wife are being extradited to the United States to face narcotics and weapons charges and that no Americans were killed.
The editorial framed Maduro’s removal as a strategic win against U.S. adversaries, including China, Russia, Cuba, and Iran, which it said had supported his regime.
It argued the operation sends a broader message to authoritarian leaders that Trump "follows through," contrasting the move with the Biden administration’s earlier sanctions relief, which the board said Maduro exploited.
At the same time, the Post cautioned that success will ultimately depend on what comes next.
It endorsed Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado as the best path forward, warning that empowering figures tied to Maduro’s inner circle, including his handpicked vice president, would risk instability and continued foreign influence.
The board also raised concerns about legal and congressional oversight issues surrounding the operation, urging scrutiny even as it celebrated Maduro’s fall.
"The downfall of Maduro is good news," the editorial concluded, but only if it leads to a stable, democratic transition rather than chaos or another authoritarian outcome.
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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