Trump claims Maduro ‘captured’ as US vows to run Venezuela until power transition
Donald Trump has shared a picture of Venezuelan President Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima, as he has vowed that the US will run the country until there can be a proper transition.
Trump announced President Maduro and his wife have been ’captured’ by the US and taken out of Venezuela following a series of airstrikes on the capital Caracas.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, the President has said the US will effectively "run" Venezuela until there can be a proper transition of power.
Trump also issued a stark warning to other countries, saying: "This extremely successful operation should serve as a warning to anyone who would threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives."
The US President claimed he will make the people of Venezuela "rich, independent and safe", as he promised they will "not suffer anymore".
He also spoke of the oil industry in Venezuela, which he said "has been a bust for a long time".
"They’ve not been pumping what they could have been pumping", Trump said. "Our very large United States Oil companies will go in and fix the bad oil infrastructure and start making money for the country."
Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores will face American justice for “their campaign of deadly narco terrorism against the United States and its citizens", the President added.
Facing charges in the Southern District of New York, President Maduro is facing a slew of drugs and weapons charges, including:
- narco-terrorism conspiracy
- cocaine importation conspiracy
- possession of machine guns and destructive devices
- and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the US
Speaking to Fox News earlier in the day, Trump praised his military and said he watched the events unfolding "like I was watching a television show".
He said it was an "amazing job" and "extremely complex" maneuver, which he watched from Mar-a-Lago.
Trump said that Maduro was in a "highly guarded fortress" when he was captured.
He also revealed they were meant to go ahead with the operation four days ago, but weren’t able to because of the weather.
Trump confirmed that no American service personnel were killed in the operation, nor did the US lose any military equipment.
Low-flying aircraft, loud explosions, and columns of smoke were seen and heard during the early hours of Saturday morning, with several locations targeted across the capital.
In response, Venezuela said it deployed its armed forces for the "integral defense of the nation".
It comes as the UK Foreign Office updated its travel advice for Venezuela, advising Britons against all travel to the country.
"Those already there should shelter in place but be prepared to change plans quickly if necessary," it confirmed.
It comes amid warnings that travel insurance may be invalid if people travel in spite of the advice.
Sir Keir Starmer says he has not yet spoken to Donald Trump about the "fast-moving situation", but went on to add: "I will want to talk to the president, I will want to talk to allies."
When asked about Trump’s claims that he had ’captured’ Venezuelan President Maduro, Starmer was seen to add: "I want to establish the facts first.
"As you know, I always say and believe that we should uphold international law."
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage branded the actions of the US "unorthodox" and "contrary to international law" but failed to go as far as condemning the strikes.
"The American actions in Venezuela overnight are unorthodox and contrary to international law — but if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing. I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new leaf without Maduro."
The American actions in Venezuela overnight are unorthodox and contrary to international law — but if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) January 3, 2026
I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new leaf without Maduro.
The action follows threats from Trump and ramped up military pressure against Maduro linked to what the US President claims to be an ongoing war on drug cartels.
However, Venezuela’s government was seen to denounce the aggression, accusing the US of "attempting to forcibly break the nation’s political independence".
It comes as opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado - a figure backed by Trump - added that she is focused on achieving a peaceful transition.
"We have plans and teams ready to take control on day one," she said, outlining that she wasn’t involved in any part of the US decision-making process.
In the Truth Social post, uploaded shortly after 9:30 am GMT, Trump wrote: "The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.
"This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago."
"Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP".
The explosions reportedly began at 1:50 am local time, with one targeting Fort Tiuna, the headquarters of the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense.
The southern part of the city, located close to a major military base, was left without power, according to reports.
Locals from several neighborhoods reportedly poured into the streets amid the chaotic scenes.
Some residents were forced to evacuate a building near the Miraflores presidential palace after the explosions were heard.
The Venezuelan government has accused the US of committing the attack, saying it "rejects, repudiates, and denounces" America’s "military aggression".
It said the US is attempting to "seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, attempting to forcibly break the nation’s political independence".
"Such aggression threatens international peace and stability, specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean, and seriously endangers the lives of millions of people," it added in a statement.
World Affairs Correspondent
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