U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States will take control of Venezuela’s governance following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a high-stakes military operation.
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Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump described the mission as a “spectacular assault” conducted with “overwhelming air, land, and sea power,” comparing it to operations unseen since World War II.
“We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition,” Trump said. “We don’t want to be involved with having somebody else get in and the same situation that we had for the last long period of years. We’re there now, and we’re going to stay until a proper transition can take place.”
The announcement followed a series of U.S.-coordinated airstrikes on Caracas early Saturday, which resulted in Maduro’s capture. Before being taken into U.S. custody, Maduro was reportedly held in a “highly guarded fortress.” Trump posted a photo on Truth Social showing Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima, blindfolded, wearing headphones and a grey tracksuit, holding a bottle of water.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine explained that more than 150 aircraft were involved in the operation, which had been meticulously planned over months to study Maduro’s movements, routines, and security arrangements. One U.S. aircraft was reportedly hit but remained flyable. The operation commenced at 10:46 p.m. ET, with U.S. forces reaching Maduro’s compound at 1:01 a.m. ET (2:01 a.m. Caracas time). Trump praised the military for executing the raid flawlessly, noting that no U.S. lives were lost, though some individuals were injured.
The strikes disrupted air travel across the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of South America. JetBlue canceled approximately 215 flights, while United and Southwest Airlines adjusted schedules due to temporary airspace closures. Flights to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were reportedly unaffected.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Maduro and Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Trump accused Maduro of facilitating drug trafficking into the United States and contributing to gang violence in U.S. cities.
Trump said Maduro and his wife will face “the full might of American justice” in U.S. courts. “Right now, they’re on a ship, heading to ultimately New York, and a decision will be made on their detention and trial,” he said, adding that the overwhelming evidence of their crimes will be presented in court.
Trump indicated that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and other Venezuelan officials might assist in running the country during the transition, but issued a stern warning to any loyalists remaining with Maduro, stating, “The future is really bad for them if they stay loyal.” He also claimed that many officials were already switching sides, citing a “conversion factor” in which loyalties were shifting toward U.S.-backed governance.
Rubio added that Maduro had ample opportunities to leave the country but chose to “play big boy” and remain, while Hegseth praised Trump’s leadership, calling the operation “flawlessly executed” and stating, “Nicolás Maduro had his chance, just like Iran had theirs. He effed around, and he found out.”
Reactions in Venezuela have been mixed. Some celebrated the capture as a long-awaited victory against a regime accused of political repression and economic mismanagement. Others expressed uncertainty about the humanitarian and political consequences of foreign military intervention.
International legal experts, including Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at Notre Dame Law School, questioned the legality of removing a sitting head of state without UN Security Council approval, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent.
Trump announced plans for U.S. companies to enter Venezuela, invest billions, and revitalize the nation’s struggling oil industry, promising that Venezuelans would become “rich, independent, and safe.” He further stated that the U.S. is “ready” to stage a second, larger military operation if required to secure stability.
As heightened security measures remain in place across Venezuela, the Trump administration continues to oversee the transition, pledging to maintain order until a “safe and proper” handover can be arranged.
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