Trump Says Secret ‘Sonic Weapon’ Was Used In Venezuela Raid: ‘Nobody Else Has It’

Last Updated:January 21, 2026, 22:45 IST

While such weapons are not banned under international law, their use has drawn scrutiny because of potential long-term health effects.

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US military used what he described as a “secret sonic" weapon during the operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, while declining to provide details about the device.

Trump acknowledged the weapon’s use during an interview on the NewsNation programme Katie Pavlich Tonight, boasting about the strength of the US military and suggesting that no other country possesses similar technology.

Asked whether Americans should be concerned about the power of the weapon, Trump paused before replying, “Well, yeah."

“It’s something I don’t wanna… nobody else has it," he said, adding, “But we have weapons nobody else knows about. And I say it’s probably good not to talk about it, but we have some amazing weapons."

“That was an amazing attack," Trump added.

Speculation about the use of a sonic weapon had circulated for weeks after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said a device deployed during the raid left Venezuelan soldiers bleeding from the nose and vomiting blood.

According to Leavitt, she read from an eyewitness account allegedly given by one of Maduro’s guards, who described being incapacitated after the weapon was activated.

“At one point, they launched something; I don’t know how to describe it," the statement said, adding, “It was like a very intense sound wave. Suddenly, I felt like my head was exploding from the inside."

The witness claimed multiple soldiers began bleeding from the nose, some vomited blood, and many collapsed, unable to stand.

“I have never seen anything like it," the account added.

Sonic weapons use intense sound waves to disorient or disable targets and can cause headaches, balance problems, confusion and, in some cases, permanent hearing damage. While such weapons are not banned under international law, their use has drawn scrutiny because of potential long-term health effects.

Maduro was captured on January 3 after US authorities accused him of trafficking drugs into the United States, allegations Caracas has repeatedly denied. Venezuela’s Interior Minister said the raid on Maduro’s compound resulted in at least 100 deaths, according to official statements, though it remains unclear whether any of the casualties were linked to the sonic weapon.

Russia has demanded more information about the weapon, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying Moscow’s special services had been tasked with examining Trump’s remarks.

Trump has defended the operation, repeating unsubstantiated claims that Maduro was sending criminals and fentanyl into the United States. He has also said the US intends to play a role in developing Venezuela’s oil sector.

“It’s a whole different Venezuela and Venezuela is going to be very successful," Trump said shortly after the raid, adding that people in the United States would be “big beneficiaries."

He later posted on Truth Social that “BIG OIL" was preparing to invest at least $100 billion in Venezuela.

News world Trump Says Secret ‘Sonic Weapon’ Was Used In Venezuela Raid: ‘Nobody Else Has It’

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