US President Donald Trump revealed that the United States used a secret weapon, which he called the “Discombobulator,” during a military raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3. Trump said the device disabled Venezuelan defense systems, preventing missiles and other weapons from being fired and keeping US forces safe. He did not provide technical details, saying, “I’m not allowed to talk about it.” He also claimed that the US had “disabled nearly all the lights in Caracas” during the operation, though he avoided explaining how.
Trump described the weapon’s effect as highly effective, noting that Venezuelan personnel could not launch any of their Russian‑ or Chinese-made missiles. He said the device gave US forces complete control over the situation without any casualties on their side. Despite the dramatic claims, Trump offered few specifics about how the “Discombobulator” worked, keeping its exact capabilities classified.
The former president also linked the raid to broader US efforts against drug cartels. He warned that the United States could continue military operations against trafficking networks in South and Central America, including Mexico, if necessary. Trump highlighted a recent strike against a suspected drug‑smuggling ship in the Pacific Ocean and noted that more than 30 similar US actions have taken place since September.
In addition, Trump said the US seized oil cargo from seven Venezuelan tankers but did not reveal the current location of the ships or the oil. He emphasized that Venezuela “doesn’t have any oil” because of US operations.
The raid and Trump’s statements come as Maduro faces narcoterrorism charges in the United States. His detention has drawn strong criticism from international allies, who called the US operation unlawful.
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