At a Glance
- Trump says the U.S. will run Venezuela after capturing Maduro and his wife.
- Operation involved a large-scale strike and military capture.
- Trump vows a safe transition and warns of future attacks.
- Why it matters: The move could reshape Venezuelan governance and raise questions about U.S. military authority.
On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had carried out a strike that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump said the U.S. would “run” Venezuela until a safe, proper transition could be arranged. The claim follows a covert operation that was executed without congressional approval, sparking criticism from lawmakers.
Operation and Claims
Trump described the mission as a “safe, proper and judicious transition” and emphasized that the U.S. would not allow a new leader to return the country to the same state it had been in for years.
President Trump said:
> “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”
President Trump added:
> “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated:
> “the Venezuelan leader would ‘face the full wrath’ of the U.S. justice system.”
Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said:
> “Last night, the weather broke just enough, clearing a path that only the most skilled aviators in the world could maneuver through.”
- U.S. oil companies will invest billions to repair Venezuela’s broken infrastructure.
- The U.S. military is ready for a second, larger strike if needed.
- The U.S. will run the country until a safe transition is achieved.
Timeline of the Strike
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the operation began with an order at 10:46 p.m. ET on Friday.
Forces arrived at Maduro’s compound at 1:01 a.m. ET, and by 3:29 a.m. they had taken Maduro and Flores back over water.
| Event | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Order given | 10:46 p.m. Friday |
| Forces arrive | 1:01 a.m. Saturday |
| Maduro & Flores captured | 3:29 a.m. Saturday |
The operation was carried out without congressional approval, leading to criticism from lawmakers.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. announced it will run Venezuela after capturing Maduro and his wife.
- Trump vows a safe transition and warns of future attacks.
- The move raises questions about executive power and the future of Venezuelan governance.
The U.S. action highlights the limits of executive authority and the uncertain future of Venezuela.
