Trump says US will run Venezuela after Maduro capture

WASHINGTON (MNTV) – President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States will take control of Venezuela during what he described as a “safe transition,” following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

They were captured in a U.S. operation that unfolded amid heavy gunfire and carried a real risk of Maduro being killed.

Speaking during an extended press conference at the White House, Trump said Maduro and Flores were being transported to New York, where they will face indictment on charges tied to drug trafficking. Trump said the operation marked a decisive shift in U.S. policy and warned that Washington is prepared to use sustained military pressure until its demands are met.

“The United States will run Venezuela until there is a safe transition,” Trump said, adding that American involvement would be deep and direct. He said the U.S. would be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil industry during the transition period, arguing that control over energy infrastructure was central to stabilizing the country and preventing further criminal activity.

Trump also said U.S. oil companies would be invited to assist in repairing and managing Venezuela’s deteriorated energy infrastructure during the transition, describing American oversight as essential to restoring production and preventing revenues from flowing to criminal networks.

Trump described the raid that led to Maduro’s capture in unusually graphic terms. Asked whether U.S. forces could have killed the Venezuelan leader during the operation, Trump said that the outcome was possible.

“It could have happened,” he said. “There was a lot of gunfire. He was trying to get into a safe place.”

Trump said U.S. forces had effectively sealed off Maduro’s escape routes. He described Maduro reaching a door he believed would protect him, only to find that it offered no real refuge.

“He made it to the door,” Trump said. “He was unable to close it. He was trying to get to a safe place, which wasn’t safe, because we would have had the door blown up.”

The president said the operation had been planned to avoid unnecessary casualties and was designed to neutralize Venezuela’s command capacity quickly, but made clear that U.S. forces were prepared to use overwhelming force if required. He said the mission was carried out without U.S. casualties or equipment losses. He did not disclose how many personnel were involved or where the operation took place, citing security concerns.

Trump said the action followed months of mounting pressure on Caracas. He repeated longstanding U.S. allegations that Maduro was involved in drug trafficking, accusations the Venezuelan leader has consistently denied. Trump said Washington had warned Maduro repeatedly and accused him of ignoring opportunities to change course.

He also confirmed that U.S. military activity around Venezuela had intensified in recent months, describing more than 20 air strikes carried out in waters near the country since September. Trump said those strikes were part of a broader strategy to demonstrate U.S. resolve and limit the Venezuelan government’s ability to operate freely.

During the press conferences, Trump issued a blunt warning to Venezuela’s political and military leadership. He said the capture of Maduro should be seen as a clear signal of what the United States is prepared to do.

“This operation should serve as a warning to anyone who would threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives,” Trump said.

He said U.S. forces remain on full alert. “The American armada remains poised, in position,” he said, adding that the United States retains all military options until its demands are “fully met and fully satisfied.”

Trump went further, saying that what happened to Maduro could happen to others in Venezuela’s leadership if they fail to act “just, fair, even to their people.” The remark suggested that Washington may pursue additional actions against senior figures if resistance continues.

Trump also addressed recent statements by Maduro indicating openness to negotiating with the United States on combating drug trafficking. He said those signals came too late and questioned Maduro’s sincerity.

“He had his chance,” Trump said, adding that talks would not proceed with Maduro in power. He said any future discussions about Venezuela would take place under U.S. supervision during the transition period.

The president did not provide a timeline for how long the United States intends to run Venezuela or what specific steps would define the end of the transition. He said details would be released later and framed the intervention as temporary but necessary.

Trump repeatedly emphasized that the U.S. goal is order and control, not chaos. He said American involvement in Venezuela’s oil sector would ensure that revenues are not diverted to criminal networks and that energy production continues under what he called responsible management.

Asked about the legal basis for transferring a foreign head of state to the United States, Trump said the indictments would speak for themselves and insisted that the charges against Maduro are serious and longstanding.

By the end of the press conferences, Trump left little doubt that Washington is prepared for a prolonged and forceful role in Venezuela. He framed the moment as a turning point, saying the United States would not retreat until it is satisfied that its objectives have been achieved and that Venezuela is on what he described as a safer path forward.