U.S. asserts control after dramatic capture of President Maduro
In a historic and controversial move, U.S. President **Donald Trump announced that the United States will temporarily take charge of Venezuela following a dramatic overnight military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
In a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump said the operation marked a “major victory” for U.S. security and regional stability. He declared that America will “run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” but provided few details about how that governance would work.
Trump also signaled deep involvement in Venezuela’s vast oil industry, saying U.S. companies would help rebuild and manage the nation’s energy infrastructure—a move some analysts see as driven by strategic energy interests.
The surprise operation, reportedly executed by U.S. special forces, brought Maduro and his wife to New York, where they face federal charges including narcoterrorism and drug trafficking. Maduro’s detention and swift extradition to the United States have sparked international condemnation, with critics labeling the action a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and international law.
Domestically, reactions have been mixed: some Republican allies praised the bold move, while notables from both parties have questioned the legal basis and potential long-term costs of U.S. involvement. Globally, several nations and the UN have expressed alarm at the precedent of one country seizing control of another’s government.
In Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has been named interim president by the country’s Supreme Court, but she has denounced Maduro’s removal as a “kidnapping” and vowed to defend Venezuelan sovereignty.
As the world watches the unfolding situation, Washington faces mounting pressure to clarify how it will govern Venezuela and navigate the complex legal and geopolitical fallout from its boldest international intervention in decades.