President Donald Trump just dropped a bombshell by announcing the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, with the U.S. stepping in to steer the ship until stability returns.

In a stunning development, Trump revealed Maduro’s capture in U.S. custody, while Vice President JD Vance, though deeply involved in the operation, skipped the public spotlight due to security concerns, Fox News reported. 

Let’s rewind to the planning stages, where Vance was knee-deep in strategy sessions with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, hammering out the details of this high-stakes mission.

Behind-the-Scenes Action for Vance

Despite not joining Trump at his golf club to monitor the operation in person, Vance was plugged in via secure video conference, keeping a sharp eye on every move.

A spokesperson explained that a late-night motorcade for the Vice President risked tipping off Venezuelan officials, so Vance stayed put and later returned to Cincinnati once the mission wrapped up.

Security isn’t just a buzzword here—Vance’s team noted that both he and Trump are cutting back on face-to-face meetings outside the White House to avoid any unnecessary risks.

Trump Takes Center Stage

Hours after Maduro was secured, Trump took to the podium alongside heavy hitters like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the joint chiefs.

The President didn’t mince words, declaring the U.S. will “run” Venezuela until a “safe, orderly” transition of power is achieved, though he dodged specifics on how long American boots might stay on the ground.

“They always say boots on the ground, so we’re not afraid of boots on the ground if we have to,” Trump stated, signaling a firm resolve that’s sure to raise eyebrows among those wary of prolonged military entanglements (Trump).

Vance’s Public Stance on Maduro

While Vance wasn’t at the briefing, he didn’t stay silent, taking to X to throw his full support behind the operation with a pointed jab at critics.

“Maduro is the newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says,” Vance posted, doubling down on the legality of the move by highlighting Maduro’s U.S. indictments for narco-terrorism (Vance, on X).

That’s a sharp reminder that justice doesn’t stop at borders, even for those hiding behind palace walls in Caracas, and it’s a stance that cuts through the fog of progressive hand-wringing over international law.

Venezuela’s Future Under U.S. Watch

Trump also shed light on Venezuela’s interim leadership, noting that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, sworn in as Maduro’s successor, is already in talks with U.S. officials and showing a willingness to cooperate.

Yet, questions linger about whether the U.S. will back opposition figures like Maria Corina Machado or Edmundo González Urrutia, as Trump stayed mum on that front, leaving room for speculation.

Meanwhile, Vance’s past skepticism of overseas military ventures—seen in leaked chats about inconsistent messaging on interventions—adds a layer of intrigue to how he’ll navigate this bold new chapter in U.S. foreign policy.