Trump Announces US Will Run Venezuela and Rebuild Oil Infrastructure After Maduro Capture
President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday that the United States will assume temporary control of Venezuela following a massive military operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the President stated that the US intends to run the South American nation until a safe and judicious transition can be established. Trump emphasized that the move is necessary to prevent a power vacuum and ensure that the next leadership has the genuine interests of the Venezuelan people in mind. He described the overnight mission as a stunning display of American military competence that effectively neutralized the country’s defensive capabilities within hours. The President was flanked by senior cabinet members including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as he outlined a new era for the region.
A central component of the new administration’s strategy involves the total overhaul of the Venezuelan energy sector. President Trump revealed plans to send major United States oil companies into the country to invest billions of dollars in repairing what he called a badly broken infrastructure. He argued that the socialist regime had allowed the world’s largest oil reserves to languish and promised that American talent would restore production to historic levels. According to the President, the proceeds from this revitalized industry will benefit the Venezuelan people while also providing reimbursement to the United States for the costs of the military operation. Trump asserted that this arrangement would not cost American taxpayers a penny because the wealth coming out of the ground would be substantial enough to cover all expenses.
The military operation, officially titled Operation Absolute Resolve, involved more than 150 aircraft and elite special forces units who moved under the cover of darkness. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, explained that the mission was the culmination of months of intense rehearsal and planning. During the strike, the lights in the capital city of Caracas were largely disabled to provide tactical cover for the ground units who intercepted Maduro at a safe house. Following his capture, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were transported to the USS Iwo Jima and are currently being moved toward New York to face federal narcoterrorism charges. The President reported that no American service members were killed during the engagement and warned other hostile regimes that the same outcome could befall anyone who threatens American sovereignty.
The sudden intervention has triggered a wave of polarized reactions within the United States and across the globe. Republican leaders have largely praised the President for his decisive action in removing a long-standing adversary and taking steps to secure regional stability. However, several prominent Democrats have condemned the operation as an illegal act of aggression that lacks congressional authorization and violates international law. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the US is already in contact with Venezuelan officials to coordinate the interim period, though Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has issued public statements rejecting the foreign presence. As the United States begins its temporary administration of the territory, international observers are closely watching for potential responses from allies of the former Maduro government such as Russia and China.
