U.S. Captures Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro as Trump Claims Temporary American Control
WASHINGTON — In one of the most aggressive U.S. foreign policy actions in the Western Hemisphere in decades, the United States launched a direct military operation in Venezuela overnight, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and transporting him to U.S. custody, according to U.S. officials and reporting by Reuters.
President Donald Trump confirmed the operation Saturday, saying U.S. Special Forces seized Maduro at or near one of his safe houses during a coordinated strike that temporarily knocked out electricity in parts of Caracas. Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, Trump said the United States would assume temporary control over Venezuela until what he described as a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be established. Trump also made clear that further military involvement remains on the table, stating he is not afraid of deploying U.S. troops on Venezuelan soil.
Maduro Transported to the United States, Court Appearance Pending
Multiple U.S. media outlets reported that a plane carrying Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, landed Saturday evening at Stewart International Airport in upstate New York. Video footage showed U.S. personnel in FBI and other federal law enforcement apparel boarding the aircraft upon arrival. Television networks including CNN and Fox News identified Maduro as one of the individuals disembarking.
A Justice Department official told Reuters that Maduro, who has been indicted in the United States on multiple charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, is expected to make an initial appearance in federal court in Manhattan on Monday. He is expected to be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn prior to the hearing. Flores also faces U.S. charges, including conspiracy to import cocaine.
Despite Trump’s assertion that the United States will oversee Venezuela’s transition, administration officials offered few concrete details on how Washington would exercise authority in a country where Maduro’s political and military structures appear to remain largely intact.
Venezuelan Government Denounces Operation as Kidnapping
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, widely viewed as Maduro’s apparent successor, appeared on state television Saturday alongside senior officials to condemn the U.S. action. She described the operation as an illegal kidnapping and demanded the immediate release of Maduro and Flores, insisting Maduro remains Venezuela’s legitimate president. Her defiant address came hours after Trump claimed his administration had been in contact with Rodríguez and suggested she was cooperative, adding publicly that she had “no choice.” Rodríguez made no reference to any contact with U.S. officials during her televised remarks.
Streets Calm as Power Vacuum Looms
Inside Venezuela, the immediate public reaction appeared restrained. Soldiers patrolled parts of Caracas, small pro-Maduro gatherings formed in the capital, and daily life continued cautiously as residents awaited further developments.
Some Venezuelans expressed relief, while others warned of instability. Analysts say Maduro’s removal could open a significant power vacuum in a nation already suffering from economic collapse, mass emigration, and political repression. Venezuela shares borders with Colombia, Brazil, Guyana, and the Caribbean, raising concerns about regional spillover.
Trump declined to identify any Venezuelan political figure or governing body the U.S. would work with during the transition and publicly ruled out cooperation with opposition leader María Corina Machado, widely considered Maduro’s strongest electoral challenger.
Historical Echoes and International Fallout
Trump’s comments about potential long-term U.S. involvement and resource extraction revived comparisons to U.S. interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, conflicts he previously criticized. He insisted Venezuela would be different, repeatedly stating that American involvement would be reimbursed through Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the largest proven reserves in the world.
The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet Monday to address the U.S. action. International reaction has been sharply divided. Argentina’s president praised what he described as Venezuela’s “new freedom,” while Mexico condemned the intervention outright. Brazil’s president said the operation crossed “an unacceptable line.”
Outside the White House, roughly 100 protesters gathered Saturday evening, accusing the U.S. government of kidnapping a foreign leader and calling for Maduro’s return to Venezuela.
A Precedent With Global Implications
The United States has not forcibly removed a Latin American leader since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Diplomats and foreign policy experts warn the operation could reshape global perceptions of U.S. power and legitimacy. Analysts say the unilateral nature of the intervention may weaken Washington’s moral standing when criticizing similar actions by Russia or China and could reinforce fears across Latin America that sovereignty is conditional on U.S. approval. As Maduro prepares for a U.S. court appearance and Venezuela’s political future remains uncertain, the operation marks a dramatic escalation that could redefine U.S. engagement in the region for years to come.
