US Vice President JD Vance did not appear alongside President Donald Trump during the high‑profile news conference announcing the US operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. However, a White House aide insisted he was “deeply involved” in the mission’s planning and execution, Fox News reported.
Trump held a press briefing hours after Maduro was taken into American custody, flanked by senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Notably Vance, whose role in Trump’s administration and foreign policy has been under increased scrutiny, was absent from the frame.
How involved was Vance in the operation?
According to a spokesperson for the vice president, Vance’s absence was intentional and driven by operational security concerns. National security officials were reportedly worried that moving the vice president late at night, when US forces were executing the covert mission, might have risked alerting Venezuelan authorities. Instead, Vance monitored the operation via secure video conference and remained in Cincinnati after it concluded, according to MEA Worldwide.
Despite not being physically present for Trump’s live briefing, Vance publicly praised the mission on X, saying Maduro is now learning that Trump “means what he says”. He lauded the US special operators who carried out the operation and reiterated Washington’s stance against drug trafficking and corruption tied to the Venezuelan government.
Vance had met Trump earlier to discuss strikes
Vance had met with Trump at Mar‑a‑Lago the day before to discuss the planned strikes, but was not at Trump’s golf club when the mission unfolded.
Trump’s remarks during the briefing indicated that US troops were involved “at a very high level” in the operation and he declined to rule out a continued military presence in Venezuela to ensure a “safe, orderly” transition of power. The broad aim, according to the president, remains stabilising Venezuela and addressing narco‑terrorism threats.
Maduro is currently being held in New York detention facility where he faces a slew of charges, including that of aiding narco terrorism. His wife and son have also been indicted.