Trump: U.S. Will Run Venezuela After Maduro’s Capture Until ‘Judicious Transition’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a major overnight military operation, stating the U.S. will govern Venezuela until a “judicious transition” is in place. Maduro is en route to New York to face narco-terrorism charges. Trump also revealed plans for U.S. oil companies to rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector.
Quick Look:
- Trump says U.S. to “run Venezuela” until proper transition is secured
- Maduro captured during U.S. military operation dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve”
- Former Venezuelan president en route to New York to face narco-terrorism charges
- U.S. to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure; embargo remains in place
- U.S. forces to remain in region, prepared for additional action
- Opposition figures push for democratic transition; global reactions mixed
Trump Confirms U.S. Will Govern Venezuela Temporarily Following Maduro’s Capture
Deep Look
President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that the United States will assume direct control of Venezuela’s government following the successful overnight military operation that captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago.
He stressed that the U.S. would remain on the ground to prevent chaos or power grabs by Maduro loyalists and said the goal was to ensure a democratic future for the Venezuelan people.
Details of Operation: “Absolute Resolve”
The U.S. military operation, code-named “Operation Absolute Resolve,” involved over 150 aircraft and was months in the making. According to Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, forces launched from 20 locations across the Western Hemisphere and entered Venezuela under the cover of darkness.
Timeline of Events:
- 1:00 AM ET: Elite forces landed near Fort Tiuna, where Maduro was sleeping.
- 1:15 AM: Multiple self-defense engagements occurred as U.S. forces stormed Maduro’s residence.
- By 3:29 AM: Maduro and Flores were successfully extracted and flown to the USS Iwo Jima.
“He tried to reach a steel-reinforced safe room, but our forces were too fast,” Trump revealed. “They dragged him out of bed.”
Gen. Caine noted that one aircraft was hit but remained flyable. A “handful” of troops suffered non-life-threatening bullet and shrapnel wounds.
Maduro En Route to the U.S., Expected to Face Federal Charges in New York
Trump posted a photo of Maduro in custody aboard the USS Iwo Jima, which is making a brief stop at Guantanamo Bay before flying the Venezuelan leader to New York.
Maduro faces charges tied to a 2020 indictment from the Southern District of New York, which accuses him of leading a narco-terrorist regime and conspiring with drug cartels and Colombian rebels.
He is expected to be arraigned as early as Monday in Manhattan federal court.
Trump: U.S. Oil Companies to Rebuild Venezuela’s Oil Infrastructure
In a striking announcement, Trump said the U.S. would authorize major American oil companies to enter Venezuela to repair and restart its oil sector, which has collapsed under years of corruption and mismanagement.
“Our companies will invest billions to rebuild Venezuela’s broken oil infrastructure. And yes, the embargo remains fully in effect,” Trump stated.
Who Will Govern Venezuela Now?
Trump said top U.S. officials will oversee governance temporarily. The transition team includes:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine
“This team will work with Venezuelans on the ground to stabilize the nation,” Trump said. He did not endorse an immediate successor.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called for Edmundo González—who defeated Maduro in the 2024 annulled election—to be installed as interim president.
Global Reactions and Political Fallout
Mixed International Response:
- Russia condemned the operation as “armed aggression” and called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
- EU leaders urged restraint and emphasized the need for international law to be respected.
- Colombia, fearing instability, has deployed troops to the border to handle potential refugee flows.
Domestic Backlash:
While Republicans in Florida celebrated the operation, Democrats expressed concern over the lack of congressional authorization.
“This war is illegal,” tweeted Sen. Ruben Gallego, calling the move “embarrassing.”
Meanwhile, anti-war protests erupted in cities like New York, Chicago, and D.C. under slogans like “No War on Venezuela.”
U.S. Military Will Stay in the Region
Gen. Caine confirmed that U.S. forces will maintain a high level of readiness in the Caribbean and South America, prepared to respond to any counterattacks.
“We are positioned to project power and defend U.S. interests,” he said.
Trump added that a second wave of strikes was prepared, but likely won’t be needed after the success of the initial operation.
What’s Next for Venezuela?
Trump didn’t offer a specific timeline for transition but emphasized U.S. commitment to restoring peace, economic function, and democratic governance.
“The people of Venezuela are finally free. We’re going to keep it that way,” he said.
Final Summary
- U.S. captures Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela
- Trump: U.S. will run Venezuela temporarily
- Venezuela oil sector to be rebuilt by American companies
- Operation Absolute Resolve: How U.S. military seized Maduro
- Maduro indicted in New York on narco-terrorism charges
- Global response to U.S. action in Venezuela
- U.S. troops remain deployed in Caribbean after Maduro raid
You must Register or Login to post a comment.