President Donald Trump declared Saturday that the United States will assume control of Venezuela indefinitely following what he described as the successful capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a dramatic overnight military operation.
Speaking during a press conference from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump said the U.S. would “run the country” until a new government could be installed through what he called a “safe, proper, and judicious transition.” He did not provide a timeline for how long American control would last.
“We’re going to run the country until such time as the proper transition can take place,” Trump said. “We don’t want to see the same situation repeat itself.”
Trump Describes Takeover as Temporary but Open-Ended
Trump said the decision to assume control over Venezuela was made to ensure that the country’s next leadership acts in the best interests of its people. He emphasized that the U.S. would remain in charge until officials are satisfied that a stable and legitimate transition can occur.
Despite the sweeping nature of the announcement, Trump offered no details on governance structure, civilian administration, or international coordination.
The comments mark a stunning escalation in U.S. involvement in Latin America and immediately raised questions about legality, international law, and regional stability.
U.S. Oil Companies to Take Over Energy Infrastructure
During the same press conference, Trump said he plans to authorize major American oil companies to take control of Venezuela’s energy infrastructure, which he described as “badly broken.”
“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the infrastructure, and start making money for the country,” Trump said.
Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but its production has collapsed in recent years due to sanctions, mismanagement, and deteriorating infrastructure.
Critics immediately accused Trump of seeking control over Venezuelan natural resources, a charge the president dismissed, framing the move as economic stabilization.
Trump Says Military Could Have Killed Maduro
Trump also revealed new details about the operation to capture Maduro, saying U.S. forces could have killed him if necessary.
“It could have happened,” Trump said. “He was trying to get into a safe place, all steel, but he didn’t make it because our guys were so fast.”
He described intense resistance during the operation, saying there was “a lot of opposition” and “a lot of gunfire,” but praised U.S. forces for moving with speed and precision.
Operation Absolute Resolve
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine confirmed that the mission to capture Maduro was known as Operation Absolute Resolve.
He said the operation was the culmination of months of planning and rehearsal and was carried out during the early hours of January 2.
“The operation was discreet, precise, and extremely complex,” Caine said, adding that it was a mission “only the United States military could undertake.”
Trump Says He Watched Operation in Real Time
Trump said he watched the operation unfold live from a secure room at Mar-a-Lago alongside senior military officials.
“I watched it literally like I was watching a television show,” Trump said. “The speed, the violence — I’ve never seen anything like it.”
He said U.S. forces breached fortified steel doors and extracted Maduro and his wife within seconds.
Trump claimed that no Americans were killed during the mission, though some were injured, and said all aircraft returned safely despite one helicopter taking damage.
Maduro and Wife Said to Be En Route to New York
Trump said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken by helicopter and transferred to the USS Iwo Jima, which he said was heading toward New York.
“Yes, they’re on a ship,” Trump said. “They’ll be heading into New York.”
He added that he personally spoke to Maduro about a week earlier and offered him the chance to surrender.
“I told him, you have to give up. You have to surrender,” Trump said.
Administration Says ‘The Tyrant Is Gone’
Vice President JD Vance said Trump offered Maduro “multiple off-ramps” before authorizing the operation.
“The president was very clear: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned,” Vance said, praising U.S. special operators.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau declared a “new dawn for Venezuela,” saying, “The tyrant is gone.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that Maduro’s regime was illegitimate, describing him as the head of a narco-terror organization.
Venezuela Demands Proof of Life
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government does not know Maduro’s whereabouts and demanded immediate proof of life.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López accused the U.S. of the “worst aggression” in the nation’s history and ordered all armed forces deployed.
“They’ve attacked us, but they will not subdue us,” he said in a televised address.
International Condemnation and Mixed Reactions
Russia condemned the strikes as an act of armed aggression and called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Iran, Cuba, Colombia, Chile, and Spain also criticized the action and urged de-escalation.
Some political figures in Europe and Latin America warned that the operation violated international law and risked regional chaos.
Others, including some U.S. lawmakers and regional allies, praised Trump’s move as decisive and overdue.
Congress Divided Over Legality
The operation triggered immediate backlash from members of Congress, with some questioning whether Trump acted without authorization.
“This is illegal without congressional approval,” said several Democratic lawmakers, while others warned the U.S. was entering another foreign conflict without a clear exit strategy.
Republican supporters countered that Maduro’s alleged crimes and lack of legitimacy justified the action.
U.S. Issues Travel Warnings
The U.S. State Department issued an emergency alert urging Americans in Venezuela to shelter in place and warned against all travel to the country.
The Federal Aviation Administration banned U.S. flights over Venezuelan airspace due to ongoing military activity.
Explosions were reported across Caracas, with smoke seen rising from military installations and residents rushing into the streets.
A Historic and Uncertain Moment
If Trump’s claims are accurate, the capture of a sitting foreign president and the declaration that the U.S. will run another country would mark one of the most consequential moments in modern American foreign policy.
Whether the move leads to stability, prolonged occupation, or wider conflict remains unclear.
For now, Venezuela faces profound uncertainty — and the world is watching as the implications of Trump’s announcement continue to unfold.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
