Donald Trump has declared that the United States will temporarily take control of Venezuela after American special forces captured President Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic overnight raid. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump said the US would 'run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition', warning that he was prepared to order a larger attack if necessary.
The operation, which knocked out electricity in parts of Caracas, resulted in at least 40 deaths, according to reports. Maduro and his wife were flown to New York, where he is expected to appear in court. Video from the White House showed the former bus driver in handcuffs at the Drug Enforcement Administration offices.
Trump stated that US oil companies would invest billions to repair Venezuela's oil infrastructure, claiming the occupation 'won't cost us a penny' due to oil revenues. He added that the US would 'stage a second and much larger attack' if required, and hinted at deploying ground troops, saying 'we're not afraid of boots on the ground'.
The intervention drew sharp condemnation from Democrats and world leaders, who likened it to the 2003 Iraq invasion. Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez, in a televised address, defied Trump's claim that she had acquiesced, maintaining a critical tone and suggesting Maduro's government remained in charge.
