We will run Venezuela until there is a transfer of power: Trump

After months of mounting pressure, the United States has launched an attack on Venezuela, removing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from the capital Caracas. Hours after the operation, US President Donald Trump confirmed the attack and their detention in a post on his social media platform Truth Social early Saturday.

Trump went on to declare that the United States would run Venezuela until a “peaceful transfer of power” takes place. He also said US oil companies would take control of Venezuela’s oil fields, claiming they would repair infrastructure and begin generating revenue for the country.

The US president warned that Washington was prepared to carry out a second, much larger attack if necessary. The assault has drawn condemnation from Russia and China, while Cuba, Iran and several other countries have also criticised the operation. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the detention of Maduro as a violation of international law.

Trump did not clarify whether he consulted Congress before authorising the attack. The intervention has drawn comparisons with the 1990 US invasion of Panama, when leader Manuel Antonio Noriega was forced to surrender, an event that also took place on January 3, 36 years ago.

Trump said the United States would oversee Venezuela until power is safely handed over, with American companies taking charge of oil infrastructure. He added that Vice President Rodríguez of the Maduro government had expressed willingness to accept US demands, a claim Trump said might surprise many.