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President Donald Trump mentioned the U.S. goes to briefly take over governing Venezuela after launching a large-scale shock assault on the nation in a single day.
“We’re going to run the nation till such time as we are able to do a protected, correct and considered transition,” Trump mentioned in a press convention Saturday morning from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Seaside, Florida.
The Venezuela operation “was one of the gorgeous, efficient and highly effective shows of American navy,” Trump mentioned.
“Not a single American service member was killed, and never a single piece of American gear was misplaced, many helicopters, many planes, many individuals concerned in that battle,” Trump additionally mentioned.
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a press convention following a U.S. strike on Venezuela the place President Nicolas Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, have been captured, from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago membership in Palm Seaside, Florida, U.S., January 3, 2026.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores. The couple have been indicted within the Southern District of New York on drug-trafficking expenses.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Employees, Gen. Dan Caine, mentioned the mission concerned “greater than 150 plane launching throughout the western hemisphere in political coordination, all coming collectively in time and place to layer results for a single function, to get an interdiction pressure into downtown Caracas, whereas sustaining the aspect of tactical shock.”
Smoke rises from Port of La Guaira after explosions and low-flying plane have been heard on January 03, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela.
Jesus Vargas | Getty Photos
Trump mentioned the U.S. can be accountable for Venezuela till there’s a protected transition of management. He additionally mentioned the U.S. can be operating the nation “with a bunch” and “designating numerous individuals,” with out offering particulars.
In keeping with Trump, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as president and had been in touch with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“She’s basically prepared to do what we predict is important to make Venezuela nice once more,” Trump mentioned. Rubio added that Congress was not briefed forward of the operation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump stands behind him throughout a press convention following a U.S. strike on Venezuela the place President Nicolas Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, have been captured, from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago membership in Palm Seaside, Florida, U.S., January 3, 2026.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
In an announcement, Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., mentioned the choice to launch navy motion in Venezuela with out congressional authorization was “reckless.”
“The concept Trump plans to now run Venezuela ought to strike concern within the hearts of all Individuals,” Schumer mentioned. “The American individuals have seen this earlier than and paid the devastating worth.”
Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor at Notre Dame Legislation College who focuses on worldwide regulation and battle decision, likened the operation to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
“President Trump is true to take motion towards illicit medication, however his actions in Venezuela should not those confirmed to succeed,” she mentioned.
“Profitable economies require robust, impartial courts, honest programs of prison justice, and respect for regulation,” O’Connell mentioned. “Trump’s actions defy these primary parts. The very best prediction now could be that chaos will observe in Venezuela because it did in Iraq.”
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