President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States will temporarily “run” Venezuela after US forces conducted a military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Trump’s announcement came during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
The US president described the overnight strikes on targets in Caracas and the subsequent raid as an “extraordinary military operation” aimed at addressing what he called a “narco-terrorist” regime.
“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump added.
He noted that the US could not risk allowing another unfavourable leader to take power, adding that American oil companies would invest in revitalising Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the world’s largest, to benefit the Venezuelan people.
He said, “We’re going to rebuild the oil infrastructure, which will cost billions of dollars; it will be paid for by the oil companies directly.
“And we’re going to get the oil flowing the way it should be.”
Trump provided limited details on the administrative structure, stating that a group of officials from his administration would oversee operations.
Asked by reporters about how the country would be run, Trump replied, “We’re going to be running it with a group, and we’re going to make sure it’s run properly.”
He mentioned involvement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine and other top aides.
Trump said, “We’re designating various people. It’s largely going to be — for a period of time — the people who are standing right behind me.”
The operation that toppled Maduro follows months of escalating US pressure on Venezuela, including sanctions, maritime strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels, and the revocation of oil licences earlier in Trump’s second term.
Explosions were reported in Caracas, with smoke rising from military facilities, though casualty figures remain unconfirmed.
International reactions were swift and divided, with China and Russia condemning the action as an act of aggression, while some Latin American leaders expressed alarm over the implications for regional sovereignty.
The United Nations expressed concern over potential violations of international law, just as the UN special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism, Ben Saul, described the US attack on Venezuela and capture of Maduro as illegal, calling on Trump to be investigated and impeached.
Maduro’s supporters in Venezuela vowed to resist, and the country’s Supreme Court named Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president.
Trump indicated the US is monitoring developments and prepared to maintain stability.
