US will 'run' Venezuela until 'safe, judicious transition', says Donald Trump

Florida (Web Desk): US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States would assume control of Venezuela following a major American military action that resulted in the removal of President Nicolas Maduro from the country, until conditions allow for a political transition.

Addressing reporters at a press conference  at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump said Washington would oversee the country during this interim period, stating, "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition."

He also cautioned that US forces remained on high alert and could escalate operations if required, adding that a second phase of military action would be "much bigger" should the situation demand further intervention.

"This is a war on drugs, and we’ve been losing people for the last three years," Trump said. He added that President Nicolás Maduro had been aware that US forces were closing in, stating that "Nicolás knew American ships were near."

Trump revealed that President Maduro would face trial in New York, asserting, "President Maduro will have to face justice in New York." He also made it clear that the US now commands respect on the world stage, with "America being seen with honor today."

Referring to Maduro’s actions, Trump remarked, "It seems Nicolás was waiting for our forces. The electricity in Caracas was cut off as part of the operation. We used land, sea, and air routes to capture him."

Trump also confirmed that 45 US personnel were involved in Maduro’s capture, saying, "If necessary, we’re prepared for further operations in Venezuela. 

Trump also took the opportunity to draw comparisons with past conflicts, saying, "Since World War II, the world has never seen an operation like this." He even stated, "We’ve also targeted Iranian nuclear facilities."

"The operation was a resounding success," Trump continued, adding that US forces acted under his direct orders.

"No nation can carry out such an operation like the United States can. Our military conducted a historic mission," Trump declared.

Commenting on Maduro’s leadership, Trump called him "cruel" and stated, "He’s killed many people for power." He reiterated that the operation was a decisive moment in both the fight against narcotics and the protection of international law.

Donald Trump earlier announced that the United States had launched a major military operation against Venezuela, claiming the mission resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were flown out of the country. In a message posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the strike had been successfully carried out and described it as a decisive move against the Venezuelan leadership.

US Senator Mike Lee later said Washington had wrapped up its military actions. Referring to what he said was a phone call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Lee stated that Rubio expected no further operations in Venezuela now that Maduro was in US custody. The Republican senator, who had initially voiced reservations about the operation, shared his remarks in a post on X.

Venezuela’s opposition alliance, led by Maria Corina Machado, said it had no official response to the unfolding situation, issuing a brief statement on X.

Earlier, Venezuelan authorities accused the United States of striking both civilian and military targets after residents reported a series of explosions and low-flying aircraft over Caracas, which reportedly caused electricity outages in several parts of the city. Officials said at least seven explosions were heard around 2am local time, while aircraft were seen flying at low altitude across multiple neighbourhoods. According to the government, several installations in different states were hit.

Thick smoke was seen rising from a hangar at a military base in Caracas, while another military facility in the capital was left without power. Alarmed residents rushed out of their homes and into the streets following the blasts.

“The ground shook violently. It was terrifying,” said Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker who was walking quickly with two relatives after returning from a birthday gathering.

“We heard explosions and aircraft nearby. It felt like the air itself was crashing into us,” she said, her voice shaking.

As the early morning hours passed, large plumes of smoke continued to rise, and flashes from additional explosions were visible in the distance. Despite the chaos, state-run Venezuelan television did not interrupt its schedule and instead continued airing a programme focused on the country’s music and arts.

The explosions came as Trump, who has deployed a naval task force to the Caribbean, had repeatedly raised the prospect of ground operations against Venezuela.

Earlier in the week, he said US forces had struck and destroyed a docking site allegedly used by Venezuelan drug traffickers. He did not clarify whether the operation was carried out by the military or intelligence agencies, nor did he disclose the exact location, saying only that it was “along the shore.”

If confirmed, that strike would mark the first known land-based US attack on Venezuelan territory. President Maduro has neither confirmed nor denied the earlier incident. However, on Thursday, he said he was open to cooperation with Washington after weeks of mounting US military pressure.

On January 2, Maduro accused the United States of aiming to seize Venezuela’s oil, gold, rare earth elements and other mineral resources, claiming Washington’s true objective was to control the country’s vast natural wealth.

The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading a major drug trafficking network and has said it is stepping up efforts to disrupt narcotics smuggling.

Maduro has rejected those accusations, insisting that the United States is seeking to remove him from power because Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves.

In recent weeks, Washington has intensified pressure on Caracas by effectively restricting Venezuelan airspace, imposing new sanctions and ordering the seizure of tankers carrying Venezuelan crude. Trump has also repeatedly warned that ground operations against drug cartels in the region would begin “soon,” with Monday’s reported strike seen as the first sign of that approach.

Since September, US forces have carried out multiple operations against vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, targeting what American officials describe as drug smuggling activities.