In a move that shocked the world, US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas and transported them to New York to face criminal charges. Following the operation, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would temporarily take charge of Venezuela until a “safe and proper” transition could be arranged.
“We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago. “We can’t take a chance that somebody else takes over Venezuela who doesn’t have the good of the Venezuelan people in mind.”
US Steps In with Interim Leadership
Trump outlined that the US would oversee Venezuela with a small group of officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine. However, he offered few concrete details on the plan.
Trump also claimed that Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, had been sworn in as Maduro’s successor and was “willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again.” The Venezuelan government, however, has not confirmed any such transition.
The president framed the operation as a decisive escalation after months of speculation about possible US intervention, stating, “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,” and adding that American oil companies would invest billions to rebuild Venezuela’s damaged infrastructure. Trump warned that a larger follow-up operation could be staged if necessary.
Legal Justifications and Political Debate
US Secretary of State Rubio defended the operation, saying it did not require congressional approval because it was a law enforcement mission supported by the military. “This was not the kind of mission you can do congressional notification on,” he said, pointing out Maduro’s 2020 US indictment and $50 million reward for his capture.
The announcement sparked immediate criticism from Democrats. Senator Mark Warner warned the operation sets a dangerous international precedent: “If the United States asserts the right to invade and capture foreign leaders, what prevents China from doing the same in Taiwan, or Russia in Ukraine?” He also pointed to the Trump administration’s pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, noting the contradiction in justifying military action in one case but issuing clemency in another.
Supporters Praise the Operation, Risks Remain
Republicans largely supported Trump’s actions. Senator Roger Wicker commended the president for a “successful mission” and said the arrest was part of a broader effort to dismantle criminal networks linked to Maduro’s regime. He urged Venezuelans to restore peace and prosperity in the country.
Analysts, however, cautioned that the operation could trigger instability. Daniel DePetris of Defense Priorities said Venezuela could face civil conflict, military splits, rising criminal activity, or the emergence of another authoritarian leader. “Whether this change will be positive or negative remains to be seen,” he said, adding that the country’s declining economy makes it less of a regional threat than often portrayed.
The Trump administration has repeatedly shifted its rationale for targeting Maduro, citing everything from drug trafficking and oil recovery to promoting democracy, framing Venezuela as a direct threat to US security in the Western Hemisphere.
