President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will take control of Venezuela “until a proper transition can take place,” following a dramatic military operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking at a press conference from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Mr Trump declared that the Venezuelan people are “free again” and described the mission as a “flawless” execution of American might.
The operation, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, involved large-scale air strikes on the capital, Caracas, and the capture of Mr Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by the US Army’s elite Delta Force.
‘Operation Midnight Hammer’
Standing alongside senior officials, Mr Trump confirmed that the deposed leader and his wife are currently being transported by sea to the United States. He noted that a decision will be made “soon” on whether they will face trial in New York or Miami.
Key highlights from the President’s address include:
- US Governance: The President stated the US would “run” the country to ensure a “judicious transition” and prevent a return to the previous regime.
- Military Status: Mr Trump reported that while some US personnel sustained injuries when a helicopter was hit, there were no American fatalities.
- Threat of Further Action: He warned that the US is “ready” to launch a “much larger” second attack if any remaining military or political figures resist the new order.
- Economic Interests: The President announced that major US oil companies would be sent in to “fix the badly broken infrastructure” and manage the country’s vast oil reserves.
‘He effed around’
The US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, described the mission—codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer—as a “massive joint military and law enforcement raid.”
In a blunt assessment of the escalation, Mr Hegseth said that Mr Maduro “had his chance,” but added that the Venezuelan leader had “effed around.”
The US administration has long labelled Mr Maduro an “illegitimate dictator” and accused him of leading the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns), a narco-terrorist organisation responsible for trafficking vast quantities of drugs into the US. Mr Maduro has always vehemently denied these claims.
International and domestic reaction
While Republican allies in Washington have cheered the move as a “new dawn” for the Americas, the operation has sparked a firestorm of international criticism.
- The UN: Spokespeople for the United Nations said they were “deeply alarmed” by the strikes, calling them a “dangerous precedent” and a violation of international law.
- Venezuela: Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, speaking from state television, denounced the “imperialist aggression” and reported that “innocent victims” were killed during the bombardment of Caracas.
- Democratic Critics: Some US Democrats have warned that the unilateral strike risks pulling the nation into an open-ended war without Congressional approval.
Mr Trump dismissed these concerns, stating that Venezuelans living in the US would be “extremely happy” and that the partnership would make the South American nation “rich, independent, and safe.”
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