US President Donald Trump on Saturday declared that the United States would “run” Venezuela and exploit its vast oil resources following a dramatic military operation that removed long-time leader Nicolas Maduro from power.
Trump’s comments came hours after a swift assault on Caracas in which US special forces captured Maduro and his wife as airstrikes hit several key targets across the capital. The pair are now being flown to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offenses.
While the operation was hailed by Trump as a success, the future governance of Venezuela remains unclear. The president said members of his cabinet would be appointed to oversee the country but offered no details on how such an arrangement would function.
Trump also suggested that US military involvement could deepen, saying Washington was “not afraid of boots on the ground.” At the same time, he appeared to dismiss the idea of Venezuela’s opposition immediately taking power, indicating instead that he might work with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.
Despite being framed as a law enforcement action, Trump made clear that regime change and access to Venezuela’s oil were central objectives.
“We’re going to have major US oil companies invest billions, repair the broken infrastructure, and sell large amounts of oil,” he said.
Trump Cool on Opposition Leadership
US-backed opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, who won last year’s Nobel Peace Prize, declared on social media that “the hour of freedom has arrived,” urging opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia to assume the presidency without delay.
Trump, however, downplayed Machado’s influence, claiming she lacks sufficient “support or respect” inside Venezuela. Instead, he praised Rodríguez, suggesting she was open to cooperating with Washington to “make Venezuela great again.”
Rodríguez rejected that suggestion, demanding Maduro’s release and pledging to defend the country’s sovereignty.
Reflecting the uncertainty ahead, Trump hinted that US involvement would be prolonged. “We’re there now, and we’ll stay until the proper transition takes place,” he said.
Global Reactions and Rising Tensions
China, a key ally of Maduro’s government, strongly condemned the US action, while France warned that any resolution should not be imposed from outside. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was deeply concerned that international law may have been violated.
Bombardment and Blackout in Caracas
Venezuelans had been bracing for unrest as US forces, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, had gathered off the coast for months. Explosions rocked Caracas around 2:00 am local time as airstrikes targeted military bases and airfields for nearly an hour.
US military chief General Dan Caine said around 150 aircraft supported the operation, which relied on extensive intelligence about Maduro’s movements and routines. Maduro, 63, and his wife reportedly surrendered without resistance, and no US casualties were recorded.
Residents described scenes of fear and shock as blasts shook neighborhoods near the main airport. Within hours, the capital fell largely silent, with heavy police presence and smoke lingering in the air.
Questions Over Legality
The US and several European nations had already rejected Maduro’s legitimacy, accusing him of rigging the 2018 and 2024 elections. Maduro had long claimed Trump sought to overthrow him to seize control of Venezuela’s oil wealth.
Trump has cited multiple reasons for the intervention over time, including illegal migration, drug trafficking, and energy security. While some US lawmakers quickly questioned the legality of the operation, House Speaker Mike Johnson defended it, calling the action “justified.”
