In a dramatic Saturday announcement, former U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States will directly administer Venezuela following a large-scale military operation that resulted in the capture of the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Operation Details and Capture
The operation, which Trump described as "an assault like people have not seen since World War II," targeted the Venezuelan leadership. Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores were taken into custody and now face drug and gun charges stemming from an indictment in New York.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated unequivocally that the pair will "soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts." Following the capture, Trump posted a photo on his Truth Social platform showing a blindfolded Maduro, with the caption: "Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima."
Trump's Vision for U.S. Control
During a press conference and in an earlier appearance on "Fox & Friends," Trump extensively detailed the operation and its aftermath. He bragged about watching the events unfold "literally like I was watching a television show." The tactics reportedly included cutting off power throughout the capital city of Caracas.
Outlining the future, Trump was clear about American intentions. "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition," he told reporters. He reiterated this point, stating, "We're gonna run it, essentially," to prevent a return to the previous situation.
Underlying Motives and Implications
This move aligns with Trump's long-stated interest in Venezuela's vast oil reserves. He has previously made clear that the U.S. would "be very much involved" in taking oil from Venezuela. His remarks during the news conference connected this strategic resource to the need for direct control, suggesting it was a primary motivator for the intervention to ensure no other party gains the upper hand.
The announcement marks an unprecedented escalation in the long-standing political and economic conflict between the United States and the Venezuelan government, setting the stage for a complex period of direct American governance over the South American nation.
