Pentagon chief Hegseth mocks Russian air defence in Venezuela: Didn't quite work so well

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has made an ironic comment on the performance of Russian air defence systems during an American special operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Source: address by Hegseth during the Arsenal of Freedom tour

Quote: "We saw three nights ago in downtown Caracas in Venezuela, as nearly 200 of our greatest Americans went downtown in Caracas. Seems those Russian air defences didn't quite work so well, did they? Downtown Caracas, and grabbed an indicted individual wanted by American justice in support of law enforcement without a single American killed, reestablishing deterrence."

Details: Hegseth emphasised that the US is entering a new era of competition between great powers. The department is returning to the concept of a Department of War, whose goal is to secure peace through strength and to be prepared to "decisively win" a war if necessary.

Background:

• On 3 January, the US Army's Delta Force, an elite special forces unit, captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and took him out of the country.
• On 5 January, Maduro and his wife were brought before a federal court in New York, facing charges of drug trafficking and collaboration with terrorist organisations.
• US President Donald Trump said that the United States will govern Venezuela until a clear and safe transfer of power takes place there.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!