'We're Going To Run The Country': Trump Announces US Control Over Venezuela After Maduro Capture

Florida: Following a surprise military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, US President Donald Trump announced that the US will run Venezuela for now. At a press conference in Florida, Trump claimed that the US will oversee Venezuela until a transition is established, without providing details. However, so far, there is no visible sign of the US exerting control over the country as Venezuela's security forces remain in control of key sites.

Praising the operation in Venezuela, Trump said, "We're going to run the country until we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." He lauded the military action carried out by the US military, deeming it "one of the most stunning attacks and effective displays of American military might". Trump outlined that no nation could match America's achievement, rendering Venezuelan military capacities powerless. He described Maduro's leadership as "horrible and breathtaking" and asserted the operation was to secure peace and stability for Venezuelans.

Trump stressed that the US won't let another leader take over Venezuela without prioritising its people's interests. "We can't take a chance that somebody else takes over Venezuela that doesn't have the good of the Venezuelan people in mind for decades of that. We're not going to let that happen," he stated. The US will maintain a presence during the transition period, with Trump saying, "We're there now... we're going to stay until such time as a proper transition can take place".

Trump, who has been vocal about his desire to see Maduro removed from power, claimed credit for the operation, saying it was a decisive and justified action that would protect American lives. He also warned other countries that they would face similar action if they threatened US sovereignty or endangered American lives.

The operation against Venezuela was executed reportedly after months of planning and pressure on Maduro, including a major buildup of American forces in the waters off South America and attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean accused of carrying drugs. The CIA was also behind a drone strike at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels last week.

Meanwhile, some legal experts are raising concerns about the operation's legality, saying that Congress did not approve an authorisation for the use of military force in Venezuela. The lawmakers from both parties are demanding briefings from the Trump administration on the operation and its justification.

US Eyes Venezuela's Oil Reserves

Trump also underlined the US operation's connection to Venezuela's oil reserves, announcing that US companies will lead the rebuilding effort. "We're going to have our very large US oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country," he said.

Notably, the US military, working with law enforcement, captured Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who face narco-terrorism charges in the US. Maduro's whereabouts were previously unknown, but Trump claimed they were captured and flown out of the country. The United States carried out a military operation in Venezuela, capturing Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores. The pair is expected to face narco-terrorism charges in US courts.

The operation, which took place under the cover of darkness, has left many wondering what will happen next in Venezuela, leaving the country's leadership uncertain. Trump claimed the US will run Venezuela until a safe transition of power can take place. 

‘Violation Of Sovereignty’

Meanwhile, the US action on Venezuela has drawn mixed reactions from across the globe, with some countries condemning the US action as a violation of sovereignty, while others are applauding it. The EU has called for restraint and respect for international law, while Russia has denounced the operation as an act of armed aggression. Several countries weighed in on the implications of the unilateral action. In Venezuela, supporters of Maduro are taking to the streets to protest his capture, while others are celebrating his downfall.

The capture of Maduro is being seen as a major coup for the US, which has been exerting increasing pressure on the Venezuelan leader in recent months. The operation was carried out by US special forces, who swooped in to extract Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, from their home on a military base in Caracas. As the reports surfaced, reactions poured in from around the world.

The US military operation involved multiple agencies and took months of planning. Forces moved in to capture Maduro and his wife in the early hours of Saturday morning, with explosions and low-flying aircraft heard and seen in Caracas. The operation was supported by law enforcement agencies, and the pair is now being held on a US warship, the USS Iwo Jima, en route to New York to face charges of narco-terrorism.

US Charges Against Maduro

Notably, Maduro and his wife are facing charges of involvement in a narco-terrorism conspiracy, with the Justice Department describing the Venezuelan regime as a "corrupt, illegitimate government" fueled by a drug trafficking operation that has flooded the US with cocaine. The indictment against Maduro and his wife was disclosed on Saturday.

The US has announced that it will run Venezuela until a safe transition of power can be established, but it's unclear what this means in practice. Venezuelan state TV is continuing to air pro-Maduro propaganda, and some streets in Caracas are filling up with protesters demanding Maduro's return.