Pete Hegseth Takes CBS News Anchor to School on Difference Between Iraq and Venezuela [WATCH]

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Saturday that the U.S. military operation leading to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro will benefit the United States and its allies in the Western Hemisphere, distinguishing the action from past American interventions such as the Iraq War.

Hegseth made the remarks during an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, responding to questions about whether the operation could draw comparisons to earlier U.S. military actions abroad.

The discussion followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that American forces supported a law enforcement operation that arrested Maduro and his wife in Caracas early Saturday morning.

President Trump said the operation was carried out without any American casualties.

According to the President, U.S. military forces provided protection during the mission, which culminated in Maduro’s arrest and removal from power.

Reports indicated that elite U.S. units, including the Army’s Delta Force, were involved in securing the operation.

During the interview, Dokoupil noted the visible public reaction following Maduro’s removal, both inside Venezuela and among Venezuelans living abroad.

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“In the aftermath of this successful mission, there were tears of joy in Caracas. In Miami, Venezuelan refugees obviously thrilled to see Maduro out of power, his capture,” Dokoupil said.

“You can understand why, they’ve got all that oil and yet the country itself has skyrocketing prices his own people have been starving.”

Dokoupil then raised concerns voiced by some Americans who viewed the development through the lens of past U.S. interventions, particularly the Iraq War, which Hegseth served in during his military career.

“And yet a meaningful number of Americans would wake up to this news and they would be ripped back 20 years to another American president, another U.S. intervention,” Dokoupil continued.

“I’m thinking of the war in Iraq, and that led to a significant loss of U.S. treasure and of U.S. blood. Many of the president’s own supporters tonight are wondering, ‘How is this, this time around, going to be different? And how is it in the U.S. interest?’”

Hegseth responded by drawing a direct contrast between the Iraq War and the operation in Venezuela, arguing that the Trump administration’s approach was fundamentally different in both scope and execution.

“I mean, we spent decades and decades and spent, purchased in blood, and got nothing economically in return and President Trump flips the script,” Hegseth said.

“He says, ‘Through strategic action, we can ensure that we have access to additional wealth and resources, enabling a country to unleash that without having to spend American blood.’”

Hegseth described the operation as deliberate and carefully planned, emphasizing that U.S. forces were given the time and resources needed to carry it out successfully.

“I mean, this was a bold and audacious move, but it was thought through, it was well orchestrated; our military had time to set it up,” he said.

“He provided the resources and then he took that bold stroke, and through it, we flipped that very dynamic and Americans will benefit.”

Reaction among Trump supporters online was largely supportive of Maduro’s removal and arrest, though some expressed caution following the President’s statement that the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be achieved.

Administration officials have said the goal is to stabilize the country and support a transition that benefits both Venezuelans and regional security.

Hegseth argued that Venezuela’s economic collapse was the result of years of mismanagement and corruption under Maduro’s leadership, despite the country’s natural wealth.

“Venezuela has a long history of being a rich and prosperous country,” Hegseth said.

“It’s been stolen away from its people by horrific leadership.”

He said the administration’s strategy aims to support Venezuelans while also advancing U.S. interests in the region.

“We can do both help them and help the United States in the western hemisphere by reestablishing the Monroe Doctrine,” Hegseth said.

“Peace through strength with our allies — as was demonstrated last night and I think the hemisphere — I know the hemisphere will benefit from President Trump’s bold action.”

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