U.S. Takes Control of Venezuela After Maduro's Capture

Mon Jan 05 2026 03:22:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a historic military operation, former President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would temporarily run Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, igniting debates over legality and future governance.

Following the audacious capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation, President Trump declared that the U.S. would manage Venezuela temporarily, aiming to tap the nation's oil reserves. This unprecedented action raises questions about legality and the political future of the country as protests erupt both in support of and against Maduro. Meanwhile, Trump boasted about the success of the operation, which aims to stabilize the region amid ongoing drug trafficking concerns.

In a surprising escalation of U.S. intervention in Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced on January 3, 2026, that Nicolás Maduro has been captured after a military operation. Trump declared that the U.S. will temporarily oversee Venezuela, focusing on maintaining order and exploiting the country's vast oil reserves.

This operation marks the most assertive U.S. military action aimed at effecting regime change in Venezuela, echoing historical interventions like the 2003 invasion of Iraq. While Trump expressed confidence in stabilizing the region, opponents of the operation raised significant concerns about its legality, noting that Congress had not authorized such actions.

Protests erupted in Venezuela, with some calling for Maduro's return, highlighting the polarizing effect of his leadership on the nation.

Legal experts and politicians from both parties questioned the administration's justification. Trump, however, defended the operation as essential for American safety and regional stability.

As the political landscape in Venezuela teeters on the brink of further upheaval, international observers are watching closely to see how the U.S. plans to navigate the complex aftermath of its military intervention.