U.S. Will Temporarily Administer Venezuela After Capturing Nicolas Maduro, says Donald Trump

Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during an overnight military raid by U.S. special forces, President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States will now oversee and run Venezuela's governance until a "secure and orderly" transition can occur.

Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, was also "captured" during the said raid.

Speaking to the press, Trump said, "We are going to administer the nation until we can ensure a safe, appropriate, and responsible handover. We want to avoid repeating the challenges of recent years by allowing the wrong leadership to emerge."

However, he did not provide any specific timeline, governance structure, or details on compliance with U.S. or international law for this arrangement.

Trump claimed that starting now, major American "oil companies" would invest heavily to repair Venezuela's damaged oil infrastructure and boost production. He added that this new arrangement would be a beneficial partnership that would bring prosperity, independence, and security to Venezuelans. Trump also said that the U.S. is further prepared for ground operations if needed, including contingency plans for further military action, which were in place but deemed unnecessary after the raid's success.

The operation took place on Saturday, with reports of explosions across Caracas as low-flying aircraft targeted military sites.

People in the country described intense blasts, at least seven, and rising smoke from installations, including a key base that temporarily lost power. Verified footage showed tracer rounds and fires illuminating areas near the capital.

According to U.S. and Venezuelan reports, elite forces seized Maduro and Flores from their residence inside the heavily fortified Fort Tiuna complex. A high-ranking Venezuelan official labelled the action a "kidnapping" following airstrikes on surrounding areas.

Trump later shared an image on Truth Social depicting Maduro, blindfolded, handcuffed, and wearing protective headgear, aboard the USS Iwo Jima, a U.S. naval vessel transporting him to New York.

The U.S. further said that the couple would now face new federal charges related to an alleged narco-terrorism conspiracy, with an unsealed indictment from the Department of Justice.

Trump indicated that a team of designated U.S. officials would manage operations on the ground, framing the intervention as temporary while asserting sole U.S. authority over the transition process. No mentions were made of Venezuelan-led elections, international oversight, or local transitional leadership.

Also Read: ‘Proof of Capture’: Trump Shares Photo of Maduro in US Custody