'A lot of people were killed': Trump boasts about Maduro operation
US President Donald Trump has celebrated the capture of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, boasting that the high-risk operation proved the US has the "most fearsome" military in the world.
"We had a lot of boots on the ground, but it was amazing," he said during a speech at a House GOP retreat in Washington, DC.
"It was brilliant tactically."
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Donald Trump addresses Republican lawmakers at their annual retreat. AP
Trump recounted several operational details to Republican lawmakers, indicating the US cut electricity to major parts of Venezuela just before entering the country.
That gave the military the element of surprise as it approached Maduro's compound.
"And think of it, nobody was killed," Trump said.
"And on the other side, a lot of people were killed."
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In this courtroom sketch, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, left, and his wife, Cilia Flores, second from right, appear in Manhattan federal court with their defence attorneys Mark Donnelly, second from left. Elizabeth Williams via AP
Trump went on to criticise Democrats for airing concerns about the decision to capture Maduro, complaining that few in the party were congratulating him.
"At some point they should say, you know, 'You did a great job,'" he said.
"'Thank you, congratulations.' Wouldn't it be good?"
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