U.S. Troops Snatch Maduro, Now Trump Vows to ‘Run’ Venezuela and Seize the Oil

The United States military has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a series of airstrikes and ground operations inside Venezuela, according to multiple U.S. officials [41033][41227][40921]. The couple has been flown out of the country and is facing “narco-terrorism” and drugs charges in a New York court [40942][40970].

Following the capture, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the United States will temporarily administer Venezuela, saying the goal is to “take back the oil” and fix the country’s collapsed energy infrastructure [41227][41525]. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but production has plummeted after years of economic mismanagement and corruption [41227][40871].

Trump said the action ensures “American dominance in the western hemisphere will never be questioned again,” and suggested Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, should follow U.S. orders as interim president — though Rodríguez has so far defied the demand [41525].

The operation, which struck targets in Caracas and other areas on Saturday, marks the first major U.S. military attack on South American soil and an unprecedented escalation in the long-running crisis between Washington and Maduro’s government [41227][41525][40921]. The U.S. has long labeled Maduro’s presidency illegitimate and imposed severe economic sanctions, accusing his administration of corruption, human rights abuses, and ties to drug cartels [41136][40668][40970].

With Maduro removed, a dangerous power vacuum has emerged. No successor has been named, and the Venezuelan military has not issued any public statement [41136][41379]. The country’s 30 million people now face deep uncertainty as the U.S. asserts direct control over a nation suffering from hyperinflation, food shortages, and a humanitarian crisis [42114].

International legal experts have immediately questioned the legality of the attack, warning it sets a dangerous global precedent [40942][40737]. Some of Trump’s own political allies have suggested the operation violates international law [40942]. Global reactions remain mixed, with some world leaders expressing support and others condemning the action [41033].