Kathmandu — The United States plans to temporarily run Venezuela and tap its vast oil reserves following a dramatic military operation that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power and took him into US custody, President Donald Trump said on Saturday.
Speaking hours after the operation, Trump said Washington would step in to manage Venezuela until a new government is formed, vowing to “fix” the country’s oil infrastructure and sell large quantities of oil to other nations. He described the action as part of a broader effort to protect American interests and curb drug trafficking.
The operation marked the most assertive US-led regime-change action since the 2003 invasion of Iraq and followed months of intense pressure by the Trump administration on the Maduro government. Legal experts immediately questioned the legality of the intervention, which was carried out without congressional approval.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized overnight from their residence inside a military base and initially taken aboard a US warship. They were later flown to New York, where Maduro was escorted by federal agents and transferred to the custody of US law enforcement. He is expected to be detained at a federal jail in Brooklyn while awaiting trial on narco-terrorism and drug trafficking conspiracy charges.
At a press conference at his Florida residence, Trump said the United States was already effectively running Venezuela and would remain in control until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” of power could take place. He also said the operation should serve as a warning to anyone threatening US sovereignty or American lives.
The US Justice Department released a new indictment accusing Maduro and Flores of leading a narco-terrorism conspiracy that allegedly flooded the United States with cocaine. Washington does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.
In Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez condemned the US action and demanded Maduro’s release, calling him the country’s rightful president. However, Venezuela’s top court later ordered her to assume the role of interim president. Rodríguez said she did not intend to take power, insisting there was only one president of Venezuela.
Explosions were reported across Caracas and other regions early Saturday, with Venezuelan authorities accusing US forces of striking civilian and military installations. Smoke rose from military bases, power was cut in some areas, and residents rushed into the streets amid low-flying aircraft and blasts. The assault reportedly lasted less than 30 minutes.
US officials said some American personnel were injured but none were killed. Venezuelan authorities said civilians and members of the armed forces were killed, though no official figures were released.
The operation coincided with a major US military buildup in the Caribbean and Pacific, officially justified by Washington as part of its campaign against drug smuggling. Trump has repeatedly accused the Maduro government of fueling narcotics trafficking, allegations Caracas has denied, calling the US actions an attempt to seize Venezuela’s oil wealth.
In Caracas, reactions were sharply divided. Supporters of Maduro took to the streets demanding his return, while others celebrated his removal. Many areas of the capital remained quiet, with shops closed and residents staying indoors amid uncertainty and fear.
International concern mounted quickly. Colombia requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, while several countries warned that unilateral military action violated international law and the UN Charter.
Trump said the United States was prepared to escalate further if necessary and did not rule out deploying ground forces. He reiterated that Washington would “run” Venezuela until a political transition occurs, a statement that has heightened fears of prolonged instability in the region.
The future of Venezuela remains deeply uncertain as questions persist over the legality of the US intervention, the fate of Maduro, and who will ultimately assume power in the oil-rich South American nation.
