Polish presidential aide says Venezuela raid shows Trump follows through on rhetoric
The head of Poland’s National Security Bureau said on Monday that recent events in Venezuela demonstrate that US President Donald Trump backs his rhetoric with action.
US President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in Palm Beach, Florida on January 3, 2026.Photo: EPA/NICOLE COMBEAU
Sławomir Cenckiewicz, a senior aide to Polish President Karol Nawrocki, made the remarks in an interview with conservative broadcaster TV Republika.
His comments followed reports that US forces carried out a military operation in Venezuela over the weekend, targeting Caracas and other cities.
According to US authorities, special forces detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and transported them to the United States.
US prosecutors said Maduro and Flores were expected to appear before a New York court on Monday on charges including „narco-terrorism conspiracy,” cocaine-importation conspiracy and weapons offenses.
Maduro faces a possible sentence ranging from 30 years in prison to life, according to US officials.
Venezuela’s Supreme Court has said that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the duties of head of state.
Cenckiewicz said the operation carried „major political significance” and argued that Poland’s conservatives had been right to support Trump.
By backing the Trump administration, „the Polish president and the political camp centred around the Law and Justice (PiS) party supported a good and reliable partner,” Cenckiewicz said.
He added that the developments in Venezuela showed the US administration „matches its political statements with deeds,” and described the operation as effective and carried out without casualties.
Cenckiewicz also said the operation illustrated what future warfare might look like and underscored US military superiority.
The United States has stepped up pressure on Venezuela’s authorities in recent months, including maritime operations targeting vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
More than 110 people have been killed in such operations, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, BBC
