WASHINGTON, USA- In a dramatic escalation of U.S.–Venezuela tensions, President Donald Trump said the United States will temporarily take control of Venezuela’s governance following a military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Trump announced that Maduro was captured in an overnight U.S. strike on Caracas and subsequently flown out of Venezuela.
He said the U.S. would “run the country until such time as a safe, proper and judicious transition can take place,” though he provided few specifics on how this interim governance would work.
Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, Trump described the operation as a success with no U.S. casualties or equipment losses and affirmed American engagement in Venezuela’s future political and economic direction.
What Trump Has Said
- Trump called the mission an “extraordinary military operation,” framing it as necessary to ensure stability and transition after years of what he described as chaotic governance under Maduro.
- He stressed that the United States would oversee Venezuela’s governance only “until a proper transition” can be arranged, but did not set a timeline.
- Trump emphasized economic aims, including reviving Venezuela’s vast oil industry, claiming U.S. companies would help rebuild infrastructure.
Context: U.S. Military Action and Maduro’s Capture
The surprise strike involved air attacks in Caracas and the capture of the Venezuelan leader along with his wife, Cilia Flores.
Maduro had long been indicted in U.S. courts on alleged drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, and the U.S. government has offered substantial rewards for his arrest.
Trump revealed that Venezuelan officials were subdued quickly and taken abroad, with Maduro slated to face U.S. prosecution.
Despite devastation and skepticism on the ground, the operation is now a key moment in U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.
International and Regional Reaction
The announcement has sparked strong global reactions:
- Russia, Iran and Cuba denounced the operation, calling it an illegal violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.
- Latin American responses are mixed — some leaders welcomed Maduro’s removal; others condemned U.S. intervention as imperial overreach.
Questions remain about international law, Congressional authority, and regional stability, as critics argue the U.S.
What Comes Next
Officials have yet to outline a clear plan for governance or the structure of the “transition” Trump referenced. Venezuelan state media continued to broadcast pro-Maduro content even after the U.S. announcement, and power disruptions in Caracas have underscored the unclear situation on the ground.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly engaged with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, though she remains a polarizing figure and has dismissed the U.S. actions as “kidnapping” and imperial aggression.
