President Donald Trump on Saturday said that the U.S. will "run" Venezuela in the wake of a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

US Strikes Venezuela | Trump: Assault World Has Not seen Since WWII

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was captured from a highly guarded "fortress", adding that no Americans were killed in the operation. "He was in a fortress," Trump told Fox News in a telephone interview. "You know, that we had nobody killed was amazing," he said, adding that a "couple of guys were hit, but they came back and they're supposed to be in pretty good shape."

US Strikes Venezuela: Maduro Captured in Daring US Operation

Trump: US Troops Captured Maduro From A Fortress

Trump: US Will Be Involved In Deciding Venezuela's Next Leader

Donald Trump shared the first photo of captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro aboard the US warship USS Iwo Jima on his Truth Social platform after his capture by the US armed forces during a massive midnight operation in Caracas and several other parts of the country. The picture showed the now-deposed Venezuelan president handcuffed and blindfolded.&nbsp;Earlier, President Donald Trump told Fox &amp; Friends Weekend that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were taken by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima following their capture in Caracas on Saturday morning.&nbsp;During the interview, when asked about the whereabouts of the couple, Trump replied, “Well, they'll be heading to New York.” When Jenkins clarified if they were taken to a ship first, Trump confirmed: “Yes, the Iwo Jima. They’ll be heading into New York. The helicopters took them out, and they went by helicopter on a nice flight.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> | Donald Trump shares a picture of Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima <a href="https://t.co/FO5ePLcZ2V">pic.twitter.com/FO5ePLcZ2V</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2007489570661969963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hours after the operation, the US president, during a press conference on Saturday from his Mar-a-Lago estate that the United States will "run" Venezuela until a political transition can occur, after the spectacular US military operation to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from the country.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-be-strongly-involved-in-venezuela-oil-industry-trump-says-after-maduro-s-capture-1767456938870">US will be ‘strongly involved’ in Venezuela oil industry, Trump says after Maduro’s capture</a>&nbsp;"We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," Trump told a press conference, adding that US forces were ready to conduct a second, "much bigger" wave of strikes if necessary.&nbsp;Venezuela, home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has long been at odds with the United States. Washington has justified its pressure campaign through the language of the “war on drugs,” allegations of dictatorship, and accusations of communist rule, even as control over Venezuela’s vast oil resources has remained a central underlying issue.

Earlier, Trump revealed that the Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were being brought to New York to face federal charges.

Donald Trump shared the first photo of captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro aboard the US warship USS Iwo Jima on his Truth Social platform after his capture by the US armed forces during a massive midnight operation in Caracas and several other parts of the country. The picture showed the now-deposed Venezuelan president handcuffed and blindfolded. Earlier, President Donald Trump told Fox & Friends Weekend that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were taken by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima following their capture in Caracas on Saturday morning. During the interview, when asked about the whereabouts of the couple, Trump replied, “Well, they'll be heading to New York.” When Jenkins clarified if they were taken to a ship first, Trump confirmed: “Yes, the Iwo Jima. They’ll be heading into New York. The helicopters took them out, and they went by helicopter on a nice flight.”

Earlier, Trump revealed that the Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were being brought to New York to face federal charges.

Trump releases first image of first image of Venezuela's captured Nicolás Maduro aboard USS Iwo Jima

The US has carried out a major military operation in Venezuela, with President Donald Trump confirming that his counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown out of the country.

US Strikes Venezuela: What is US Army's Elite Delta Force That Carried Out the Venezuela Operation?

Colombian President Gustavo President reacted to reports of explosions in Caracas,  calling for UN to convene immediately. Petro's reaction came as blasts were heard across Caracas and low-flying aircraft were spotted in Caracas' skies. Watch the video for more. 

US Strikes Venezuela: Caracas Rocked By Blasts Amid US-Drug Smuggling Crackdown

U.S. President Donald Trump holds presser after the United States said it captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and flown them out of the country.

'Like A Television Show': Trump Revels in Maduro Capture

Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado vowed at a press conference on Thursday that Venezuela "will be free". The Venezuelan opposition leader, honoured for her fight for democracy, said she would try to return to end the "tyranny" in her home country, despite warnings she could be arrested.

Venezuelan Opposition Leader: González Must Immediately Assume His Constitutional Mandate

Donald Trump on Saturday (Jan 03) said that the United States will be deeply involved in Venezuela's oil industry after deposing and capturing the president Nicolás Maduro through "large-scale" US military strikes in Caracas and several other parts of the country. Trump clarified that Washington will be "very involved" in regime change, saying "we can't take a chance of somebody else taking over, we will make the decision now, he said during an interview with ‘Fox &amp; Friends Weekend.’&nbsp;The US president revealed that he watched the operation from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, adding that "It's just it was an amazing thing, the amazing job that these people did. There's nobody else could have done anything like it," as quoted by Fox News. &nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-accuses-us-captured-maduro-oil-grab-trump-1767442103594">Trump wanted Venezuela to 'collapse' so the US could take control of its oil</a>&nbsp;When asked about the future of Maduro loyalists in Venezuela, Trump said, “If they stay loyal, the future is really bad, really bad for them... They have American flags being waved on the streets, so I think he's got very little support. He was a dictator that the people hated."<h2>Maduro, his wife were flown by helicopter to USS Iwo Jima</h2>President Donald Trump told Fox &amp; Friends Weekend that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were taken by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima following their capture in Caracas on Saturday morning.&nbsp;During the interview, host Griff Jenkins asked Trump where the couple was at that moment. Trump replied, “Well, they'll be heading to New York.” When Jenkins clarified if they were taken to a ship first, Trump confirmed: “Yes, the Iwo Jima. They’ll be heading into New York. The helicopters took them out, and they went by helicopter on a nice flight.”&nbsp;Venezuela, home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has long been at odds with the United States. Washington has justified its pressure campaign through the language of the “war on drugs,” allegations of dictatorship, and accusations of communist rule, even as control over Venezuela’s vast oil resources has remained a central underlying issue.&nbsp;US President Donald Trump, however, has often laid bare that strategic motivation through his unguarded remarks. In 2024, just months ahead of the presidential election, Trump openly boasted about what critics described as a neo-colonial approach toward Venezuela.&nbsp;“When I left, Venezuela was ready to collapse. We would have taken it over, and we would’ve gotten all that oil. It would have been right next door,” Trump said at the time.The remarks reinforced long-standing claims that Washington’s sustained hostility toward Caracas was driven less by governance concerns and more by strategic and economic interests tied to energy dominance.

Donald Trump clarified that the United States will be deeply involved in the regime change and can not take a chance with somebody else taking over. 

Donald Trump on Saturday (Jan 03) said that the United States will be deeply involved in Venezuela's oil industry after deposing and capturing the president Nicolás Maduro through "large-scale" US military strikes in Caracas and several other parts of the country. Trump clarified that Washington will be "very involved" in regime change, saying "we can't take a chance of somebody else taking over, we will make the decision now, he said during an interview with ‘Fox & Friends Weekend.’ The US president revealed that he watched the operation from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, adding that "It's just it was an amazing thing, the amazing job that these people did. There's nobody else could have done anything like it," as quoted by Fox News. Also Read: Trump wanted Venezuela to 'collapse' so the US could take control of its oil When asked about the future of Maduro loyalists in Venezuela, Trump said, “If they stay loyal, the future is really bad, really bad for them... They have American flags being waved on the streets, so I think he's got very little support. He was a dictator that the people hated." Maduro, his wife were flown by helicopter to USS Iwo Jima President Donald Trump told Fox & Friends Weekend that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were taken by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima following their capture in Caracas on Saturday morning. During the interview, host Griff Jenkins asked Trump where the couple was at that moment. Trump replied, “Well, they'll be heading to New York.” When Jenkins clarified if they were taken to a ship first, Trump confirmed: “Yes, the Iwo Jima. They’ll be heading into New York. The helicopters took them out, and they went by helicopter on a nice flight.” Venezuela, home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has long been at odds with the United States. Washington has justified its pressure campaign through the language of the “war on drugs,” allegations of dictatorship, and accusations of communist rule, even as control over Venezuela’s vast oil resources has remained a central underlying issue. US President Donald Trump, however, has often laid bare that strategic motivation through his unguarded remarks. In 2024, just months ahead of the presidential election, Trump openly boasted about what critics described as a neo-colonial approach toward Venezuela. “When I left, Venezuela was ready to collapse. We would have taken it over, and we would’ve gotten all that oil. It would have been right next door,” Trump said at the time. The remarks reinforced long-standing claims that Washington’s sustained hostility toward Caracas was driven less by governance concerns and more by strategic and economic interests tied to energy dominance.

Donald Trump clarified that the United States will be deeply involved in the regime change and can not take a chance with somebody else taking over.&nbsp;

US will be ‘strongly involved’ in Venezuela oil industry, Trump says after Maduro’s capture

President Donald Trump says the United States ⁠has ‘captured’ Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and flown them out of ⁠the country after “large-scale” strikes.

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Trump Captures Maduro: Trump Put A Bounty On Nicolas Maduro in 2020

Iran has strongly condemned the US attack on Venezuela, describing it as a “blatant violation” of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The US military attack on Venezuela constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic rules of international law, particularly Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the Charter, which prohibits the use of force,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

US Strikes Venezuela: Vice-President Demands Immediate 'Proof of Life' of Maduro & Family

Vladimir Padrino López is Venezuela’s long-serving Defence Minister and a top General. Explore about his rise from the military academy to becoming a key pillar of the nation's power structure.

Vladimir Padrino López is Venezuela’s long-serving Defence Minister and a top General. Explore about his rise from the military academy to becoming a key pillar of the nation's power structure.

Who is Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López?

BREAKING | Caracas in Darkness: Power Outages Reported in Venezuelan Capital

US Delta Force captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Reports from CBS News confirm the elite unit detained the leader following a major military operation.

US Delta Force captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Reports from CBS News confirm the elite unit detained the leader following a major military operation.

Which US force captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife?

Multiple explosions, accompanied by loud noises and reports of low-flying aircraft, were heard in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, in the early hours of Saturday, according to witnesses and media reports. Parts of southern Caracas were also reported to be without electricity following the incident. The cause of the explosions was not immediately known.

WION BREAKING: Caracas Rocked by Blasts Amid US Drug-Smuggling Crackdown | US-Venezuela

Venezuela’s government on Saturday accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states after at least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were reported over the capital, Caracas, around 2 am local time.
Following the strikes, President Nicolás Maduro declared a nationwide state of emergency, ordered national defence plans to be implemented and called for 'mass mobilisation'.

Venezuela Under Attack: Maduro Govt Calls for Mobilisation of Population 

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declared a state of emergency, accusing the United States of a “very serious military aggression” after multiple explosions and aircraft-like sounds were reported across the capital Caracas. 

Venezuela Under Attack: Maduro Declares State of Emergency After US 'Attack'

Multiple blasts were heard in different parts of the city, with the first explosion occurring at around 1:50 am local time. Following the explosions, electricity was cut in several areas of the capital, leaving parts of the city in darkness.

Caracas in Darkness: Power Outages Reported in Venezuelan Capital

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have escalated after multiple explosions rocked the capital, Caracas. Witnesses reported loud blasts and disruptions across parts of the city, raising concerns over security and stability. 

US-Venezuela Tensions: Multiple Explosions Rock Venezuela's Capital

Venezuela’s government says it rejects ‘military aggression’ by the US, after explosions rock Caracas. 

Venezuela Govt Says It Reserves Right to Exercise Legitimate Defence

Venezuela is fast becoming the newest flashpoint in global power politics.
A U.S. pursuit of a Venezuela-bound oil tanker has drawn in Russia and China, turning sanctions enforcement into a high-stakes geopolitical confrontation.
As President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s regime, Moscow claims protection over the vessel, Beijing condemns U.S. actions as “bullying,” and the risk of a naval showdown grows.

Venezuela: Trump, Putin and Xi collide over oil, sanctions and control of the seas

The U.S. military said Wednesday that it had carried out "lethal" strikes against three suspected drug boats, killing three people.

US Military Carries Out More Strikes Against Alleged Drug Boats, Killing 3 People

 The U.S. military said Wednesday that it had carried out "lethal" strikes against three suspected drug boats, killing three people.

US-Venezuela: US Military Carries Out More Strikes Against Alleged Drug Boats, Killing 3 People

The crew of an oil tanker fleeing U.S. forces in the Atlantic Ocean recently painted a Russian flag on the side of the vessel, in an apparent attempt to claim Russian protection, two American officials said on Tuesday.


US-Venezuela tensions: Reports say crew paints Russian flag on tanker pursued by the US

The crew of an oil tanker fleeing U.S. forces in the Atlantic Ocean recently painted a Russian flag on the side of the vessel, in an apparent attempt to claim Russian protection, two American officials said on Tuesday.

US-Venezuela Tensions| Report: Crew Paints Russian Flag on Tanker Pursued by the US

New details of deliberations show how aides with overlapping agendas drove the United States toward a militarized confrontation with Venezuela.


US-Venezuela Tensions: What Led To Trump's Directives Against 'Narco Boats'

U.S.-Venezuela: The U.S. Coast Guard remains in active pursuit of the Venezuela-linked Bella 1 oil tanker, which has refused boarding attempts and is now sailing northeast into the Atlantic Ocean. Specialized Maritime Security Response Teams are en route, but the Coast Guard currently lacks the immediate forces needed to seize the vessel, highlighting the challenges in enforcing sanctions at sea.


U.S.-Venezuela: U.S. Coast Guard Chases Bella 1 Tanker, Awaits Reinforcements for Seizure

Venezuela Vs U.S.: Venezuela has leveled accusations of extortion against the United States, citing increased military pressure and sanctions as tensions escalate between the two nations . The U.S. has responded with heightened naval activity and economic measures, prompting Caracas to denounce what it calls coercive tactics and threats to its sovereignty .


Venezuela Vs U.S.: Venezuela Charges U.S. With Extortion as Tensions Mount

The Trump administration is reportedly expanding its military presence near Venezuela, prompting warnings from Russia and China about escalating tensions. Special operations aircraft are now deployed in the region, raising fears of a potential crisis. Global powers are closely monitoring U.S. actions as diplomatic and military stakes rise in Latin America.

Trump Edges Towards Venezuela Invasion, Russia, China Warn Washington

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