Trump Says US Will ‘Run’ Venezuela Until Safe and Proper Transition

United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States will take charge of Venezuela until what he described as a “safe and proper transition” can be completed, following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Trump made the announcement in an address from Florida on Saturday, hours after US special forces carried out an operation in Caracas to detain the Venezuelan leader. He said the mission involved coordinated sea, air, and land units, describing it as a complex operation executed with precision.

According to Trump, Maduro is now being held aboard a US warship en route to New York, where he faces indictments on drug trafficking and weapons-related charges. The President said the action was taken to ensure accountability and stability in Venezuela.

The announcement represents a dramatic escalation in US involvement in Venezuelan affairs and has already sparked concern among international observers and regional governments. Critics have raised questions about sovereignty and international law, while allies of Venezuela have called for immediate international intervention.

As reactions continue to emerge, uncertainty surrounds how the proposed transition will be managed, how long US oversight may last, and what role international institutions will play in Venezuela’s political future.