this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2026
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US President Donald Trump says that the US military used a mysterious new weapons system dubbed the “Discombobulator” during the operation to capture then-Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro in Caracas earlier this month, Trump tells the New York Post.

“The Discombobulator. I’m not allowed to talk about it,” Trump says.

According to Trump, the weapon “made [Venezuela’s] equipment not work,” suggesting that the system was used to disrupt the Venezuelan air defense and radar systems, allowing US forces to carry out the raid with near-impunity.

“They never got their rockets off. They had Russian and Chinese rockets, and they never got one off. We came in, they pressed buttons and nothing worked. They were all set for us,” Trump tells the US news outlet.

The US president’s comments came after being asked by the press about recent reports that the Biden administration purchased a pulsed energy weapon that is suspected to have been used in Caracas.

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[–] CircaV@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It’s a lot worse. Guards fell down bleeding from their eyes and noses following deployment of this very powerful weapon. It took everyone out immediately.

[–] perestroika@slrpnk.net 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

But are there any medical reports or witness testimonies? Perhaps a sound recording by someone in proximity?

Microwaves cause burns, but bleeding from the nose seems very unlikely. Sonic weapons can cause bleeding, but not sure about eyes. Explosions cause both.

But eventually, what would happen is: a wounded solider ends up in hospital, and journalists interview him - there should be such an interview somewhere.

Edit: couldn't find an original source, but found something:

https://nypost.com/2026/01/10/world-news/us-used-powerful-sonic-weapon-in-venezuela-during-raid-to-capture-madouro-incredible-witness-account/

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

The effects were immediate and horrific.

“We all started bleeding from the nose,” he said. “Some were vomiting blood. We fell to the ground, unable to move. We couldn’t even stand up after that sonic weapon — or whatever it was.”

If the report is authentic, the soldier who witnessed its use did his math right. Sonic weapon of unspecified type. US troops having to launch it suggests it had close-range effect.

[–] CircaV@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 week ago

This is where I got the info from in the first place. Someone in the thread said it’s an LRAD.