At a Glance
- President Trump announces US will “run” Venezuela after capturing Nicolás Maduro.
- Trump vows a safe transition and warns against new leadership that could repeat past abuses.
- Congressional leaders criticize the unapproved military operation.
The U.S. president declared on Saturday that the United States would take control of Venezuela following a strike that captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. He outlined plans for a safe transition and warned of a repeat of the country’s past instability.
Trump’s Announcement
President Donald Trump said:
> “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”
He added that the U.S. would invest billions in Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and that the military was ready for a second strike if necessary.
President Trump also stated:
> “We are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so.”
He dismissed concerns about boots on the ground, saying, “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground.”
Legal and Political Reactions
The indictment released Saturday lists the following charges against Maduro:
| Charge | Description |
|---|---|
| Narco-terrorism conspiracy | Transporting thousands of tons of cocaine to the U.S. |
| Cocaine importation conspiracy | Illegal drug trafficking through Venezuelan ports |
| Possession of machine guns and destructive devices | Illegal arms possession |
| Conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices | Coordinated arms conspiracy |
Senate Majority Leader John Thune wrote on X:
> “I spoke to Secretary Rubio early this morning, and I look forward to receiving further briefings from the administration on this operation as part of its comprehensive counternarcotics strategy when the Senate returns to Washington next week.”
Rep. Jim Himes said:
> “Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, but I have seen no evidence that his presidency poses a threat that would justify military action without Congressional authorization.”
Future Plans
Trump said U.S. oil companies would invest billions to rebuild Venezuela’s infrastructure. He also warned that Maduro had transported drug traffickers from prisons and mental institutions into the U.S.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. will “run” Venezuela until a safe transition can be arranged.
- Congress has criticized the operation for lacking authorization.
- Trump claims the move is justified by drug-trafficking allegations against Maduro.
The outcome of this unprecedented intervention remains uncertain, as lawmakers and the international community weigh the implications for regional stability.
