Pete Hegseth says US intervention in Venezuela is ‘exact opposite’ of Iraq

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told “CBS Evening News” that the U.S. intervention in Venezuela and the capture of his leaderNicolás Maduro, is “the exact opposite” of the American invasion of Iraq.

“We spent decades and decades buying blood, getting nothing economically in return, and President Trump is flipping the script,” Hegseth told “CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil.

Maduro what captured by American forces And brought to New York Saturday to face drug charges. Hegseth was among senior Trump administration officials who oversaw the overnight U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to Maduro’s capture.

President Trump said earlier Saturday, “we will lead the country” until there is a “safe, appropriate and judicious transition” of power in Venezuela, but he provided few details on what it might look like. Mr Trump said the US would “keep the oil flowing”.

Hegseth said that through strategic action, the United States can ensure it has access to “additional wealth and resources, allowing a country to unleash them without having to expend American blood.”

“I mean, it was a bold, bold decision, but it was thought through carefully,” Hegseth said. “This was well orchestrated. Our military had time to set it up, provide the resources, and then he took this audacious move. And because of that, we reversed that dynamic, and Americans will benefit from it.”

Hegseth told CBS News that the United States can help both the Venezuelan people and those of the United States in the Western Hemisphere by restoring the Monroe Doctrine — which established the principles of U.S. foreign policy — with “peace through strength with our allies.”

“And I think the hemisphere, I know the hemisphere will benefit from President Trump’s bold action,” Hegseth said.

Asked what’s next for other US adversaries around the world and what message it sends to other countries, Hegseth said it shows Mr Trump is a “president of action”.

“He is a president of action, and you cannot achieve peace in this dangerous world without force,” Hegseth said. “So around the world, American leadership is back: When it says something matters, it does, and we will take action with the full weight of the War Department.”