Trump Says US Will Temporarily 'Run' Venezuela After Daring Raid That Captured Maduro

President Donald Trump announced that the United States will temporarily administer Venezuela following an audacious overnight operation that captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Speaking at Mar‑a‑Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Mr Trump described the raid as “an assault like people have not seen since World War Two” and said Washington would oversee an orderly transition while protecting Venezuelan interests.

What Happened

US forces executed a large-scale operation in the early hours, with explosions and aircraft noise reported in Caracas from about 2am and continuing for roughly 90 minutes. Officials say the joint force involved more than 150 aircraft and special operations teams. Maduro was captured after forces approached his compound; he reportedly attempted to enter a steel‑reinforced safe room but was unable to seal it in time. He and his wife were flown by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean ahead of a planned transfer to New York, where Mr Trump said they will face US justice.

Trump's Statement And Plans

At the press briefing, Mr Trump said the US would “run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” He indicated that large US oil companies would be allowed to enter Venezuela, invest billions to repair what he called “badly broken” oil infrastructure, and generate revenue to reimburse intervention costs. He also warned the US was prepared to mount a “second and much larger attack” if necessary and did not rule out additional ground forces.

Venezuelan Government Response

Venezuela’s vice‑president, Delcy Rodríguez, denounced the operation on television as an “unprecedented military aggression,” demanded the immediate release of Maduro and the first lady, and insisted that Maduro remains the country’s sole legitimate president. The ruling Chavismo movement reported civilian and military casualties from the strikes but did not publish confirmed figures.

International Reaction

Democrats on Capitol Hill and many world leaders sharply criticized the intervention. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the plan for the US to run another country alarming, and Senator Bernie Sanders condemned talk of seizing Venezuela’s oil reserves as “rank imperialism.” Venezuela’s allies, including Russia, Cuba and Iran, condemned the strikes as violations of sovereignty. Reactions among regional governments varied: Argentina’s president praised the outcome, Mexico condemned the action, and Brazil’s president described it as crossing an unacceptable line.

Context And Background

Maduro, 63, was handpicked by Hugo Chávez and has faced long‑standing accusations from US prosecutors; he was indicted in the United States in 2020 on narco‑terrorism and related charges, which he denies. In the run‑up to the raid, the Trump administration tightened sanctions, pursued a blockade on Venezuelan oil, and struck vessels it alleged were involved in drug trafficking — operations officials say resulted in more than 110 deaths.

Operational Details And Legal Claims

Mr Trump named several officials he said would be involved in running Venezuela temporarily, gesturing to Senator Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs chair Gen Dan “Razin” Caine. He claimed the intervention would not cost the US because proceeds from Venezuelan oil would offset expenses. The White House has not provided a detailed administrative plan for governance, and US forces do not appear to have control across Venezuela despite the capture of Maduro.

Note: Many facts remain fluid. Independent verification of casualty figures and full operational details has not been disclosed.