Trump Says U.S. Will Run Venezuela

The United States conducted a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

“Barak Ravid, Axios correspondent, reported that United States Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced that he had spoken by phone with Donald Trump last night, a few minutes before the start of the military operation in Venezuela”

Iran International

The operation involved American special forces working with CIA intelligence sources within the Venezuelan government.

Iran International

Troops, aircraft, and warships had been amassed in the Caribbean before the operation.

Trump posted an image of Maduro in custody aboard the U.S.S. Iwo Jima.

Trump announced that both Maduro and his wife would be taken to New York.

The operation triggered widespread anti-American protests across Venezuela.

Maduro supporters defended what they described as an illegal attack and kidnapping of their legitimate leader.

President Trump declared that the United States would effectively run Venezuela.

Trump stated his intention to open the country's vast state-controlled oil reserves to American oil companies.

KSAT

Trump claimed his administration would 'run the country right' and that it 'is going to make a lot of money.'

Trump accused past Venezuelan governments of having 'stolen our oil' - a reference to the country's nationalization of its oil industry.

The president indicated that his secretary of state, Marco Rubio, had communicated with Venezuelan opposition figures.

There appears to be some confusion about the specific individual referenced, as he mistakenly referred to 'Ms. Rodriguez' when likely meaning Edmundo González.

The U.S. military operation caused significant civilian casualties and destruction in Venezuela.

“Nicolás Maduro, the ousted president of Venezuela, arrived in Brooklyn and will be held on drugs and weapons charges”

The New York Times

The damage was particularly evident in the coastal state of La Guaira.

Families were left cleaning up debris after blasts during the operation.

One resident described the aftermath as 'ruins.'

Wilman González suffered injuries including a black eye.

González found his apartment building partially destroyed, with one section almost entirely blown off.

Venezuelan officials confirmed that several people were killed in the strikes.

Among those killed was González's aunt, highlighting the personal toll on ordinary citizens.

Following Maduro's capture, Venezuela's Supreme Court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to assume the role of interim president.

Venezuela's constitution requires elections within 30 days if a president becomes 'permanently unavailable.'

Iran International

The Supreme Court declared Maduro's absence 'temporary,' thereby avoiding the immediate election requirement.

Rodriguez, who holds an unelected position, takes over for up to 90 days.

This period can potentially be extended to six months with a vote of the National Assembly.

The Supreme Court made no mention of the 180-day time limit.

This led speculation that Rodriguez might attempt to remain in power longer.

She would seek to unite the disparate factions of the ruling socialist party.

The U.S. military operation has caused significant concern in Cuba.

“Barak Ravid, Axios correspondent, reported that United States Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced that he had spoken by phone with Donald Trump last night, a few minutes before the start of the military operation in Venezuela”

Iran International

Cuba is one of Venezuela's most important allies and trading partners.

KSAT

Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated the Trump administration could turn its attention to the Caribbean nation.

Rubio stated that 'If I lived in Havana and I was in the government I'd be concerned, at least.'

Cuban authorities responded strongly against the U.S. operation.

They warned in a statement that 'All the nations of the region must remain alert, because the threat hangs over all of us.'

Ordinary Cubans expressed anxiety about the implications.

One laboratory worker described it as an 'aggression against a sovereign state.'

She noted that 'We have always been in the crosshairs (of the United States),' suggesting fear their country could be next.

The U.S. operation against Maduro was accompanied by legal proceedings.

A new indictment was unsealed by a federal judge in New York City.

The indictment charges Maduro, his wife, and four others with four counts.

The charges include narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and possession of machine guns.

This indictment is similar to one unveiled in March 2020.

This suggests a continuing legal strategy against Venezuelan officials.

The combination represents a multi-faceted approach by the Trump administration.

It involves both military force and legal mechanisms to challenge Maduro's government.