Trump to Honor Special Forces Who Captured Venezuela's Maduro

President Trump to visit Fort Bragg to recognize troops involved in Maduro's arrest

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

President Donald Trump is traveling to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to honor members of the special forces who captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro last month. Trump will be joined by First Lady Melania Trump to spend time with military families. The visit is intended to celebrate the service members involved in the operation to oust Maduro, which the president has described as requiring bravery and advanced weapons.

Why it matters

The visit spotlights the Trump administration's hardline stance against the Maduro regime in Venezuela and its efforts to install a new government more aligned with U.S. interests. It also allows Trump to tout his administration's economic policies, including attempts to bring down the cost of living, at a time when many Americans are frustrated with affordability issues.

The details

Trump plans to honor the special forces who carried out the operation to capture Maduro, who is facing drug smuggling charges in the U.S. The president has described the mission as requiring significant skill and firepower. Trump also intends to promote his administration's efforts to rebuild Venezuela's energy industry by inviting major oil companies to the country.

  • President Trump is visiting Fort Bragg on Friday, February 13, 2026.
  • The special forces operation to capture Maduro took place in January 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, visiting Fort Bragg to honor the special forces involved in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Nicolás Maduro

The former president of Venezuela who was captured by U.S. special forces and is now facing drug smuggling charges in the United States.

Melania Trump

The First Lady of the United States, accompanying her husband on the visit to Fort Bragg to spend time with military families.

Tom Homan

The Trump administration's border czar, who announced the end of certain immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota that led to the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The numbers were surprising except to me they weren't surprising. We have very modest inflation, which is what you want to have.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (kmph.com)

“The blue cities are the cities that are unsafe.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (kmph.com)

“The relationship is strong, the oil is coming out. We have our big oil companies going in, they're going to be pumping out the oil and selling the oil for a lot of money.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (kmph.com)

What’s next

The Trump administration is planning a gathering in Florida next month of leaders from several Latin American countries to discuss concerns about growing Chinese influence in the region.

The takeaway

This visit to Fort Bragg highlights the Trump administration's hardline stance against the Maduro regime in Venezuela and its efforts to install a new government more aligned with U.S. interests. It also allows Trump to tout his administration's economic policies, including attempts to bring down the cost of living, at a time when many Americans are frustrated with affordability issues.