Trump Says Rubio and Hegseth Will “Run” Venezuela After U.S. Military Strike
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during an overnight military operation in Venezuela, marking a dramatic escalation in U.S. involvement in the country.
Speaking during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump said the operation involved air, land, and sea components and resulted in Maduro being flown out of Venezuela to face U.S. indictments related to narcotrafficking and terrorism charges. Trump described the mission as a success and said no U.S. casualties were reported.
Trump further stated that the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela to ensure what he called a “safe, proper, and professional transition” away from socialist rule. He indicated that the U.S. would oversee the country until a new governing structure is established, saying American involvement is necessary to stabilize Venezuela’s political and economic systems.
According to Reuters and Associated Press, explosions and heavy military activity were reported in and around Caracas during the operation. Venezuelan officials described the action as an “extremely serious military aggression” and accused the United States of violating the country’s sovereignty.
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Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would form a joint team to coordinate with Venezuelan civilians and oversee the interim period. Trump also referenced an updated version of the Monroe Doctrine, signaling a broader effort to reassert U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.
Reactions have been sharply divided. Supporters celebrated the operation as a liberation effort, with reports of crowds chanting “Libertad” in parts of Caracas. Democratic lawmakers and international leaders, however, warned the operation may bypass congressional authority and risk wider regional instability.
The White House has not yet released details on the legal framework for the intervention or how long U.S. oversight of Venezuela is expected to last.
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