Trump Declares US Will ‘Run’ Venezuela and Secure Oil Following Capture of Maduro

US Governance and Oil Strategy

Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump announced that the United States intends to administer Venezuela's government indefinitely until a "judicious transition" can be achieved. A central component of this plan involves the US military securing and rebuilding Venezuela's oil infrastructure.

Resource Control: Trump stated that wealth generated from oil extraction would be directed toward the Venezuelan people and also used to "reimburse" the United States for damages attributed to the Maduro regime.

Military Presence: While Trump initially stated he wasn't afraid of putting "boots on the ground," he later clarified that the military presence would be focused specifically on oil assets. He described the deployment as sending in "expertise" rather than a massive troop mobilization.

The Capture of Nicolás Maduro

Elite US forces apprehended Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during an overnight raid at their residence.

Legal Consequences: The deposed leader is being transported to New York, where he faces charges related to narcotics trafficking and weapons violations.

Local Reaction: Responses in Caracas have been polarized; some citizens are celebrating the potential for positive change, while others fear the power vacuum will lead to deeper conflict. While the Foreign Minister insists Maduro remains the head of state, the reality on the ground has shifted to US control.

The Leadership Vacuum

There is significant friction regarding who will lead Venezuela locally during this transition.

Opposition Sidelined: Despite calls from opposition leader María Corina Machado to install a new candidate, President Trump explicitly dismissed her viability. He stated he has not contacted her and believes she lacks the necessary respect and support within the country to lead.

Working with the Vice President: Surprisingly, the Trump administration indicated it is coordinating with Maduro’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez. Trump noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Rodríguez, who allegedly agreed to cooperate with US directives because "she really doesn't have a choice."

Congressional Backlash

Democrats in Washington have accused the Trump administration of misleading Congress regarding its intentions in Venezuela.

Misleading Briefings: Lawmakers claim that during classified briefings in December, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured them that regime change was not the objective.

Constitutional Concerns: Senator Chris Coons labeled the unauthorized overthrow of a president—even an illegitimate one—as an act of war requiring Congressional approval. Democrats are demanding immediate briefings to understand the long-term strategy, which Senator Jeanne Shaheen claims remains opaque.

Claims Regarding Migration and Prisons

President Trump utilized the address to reiterate his long-standing allegation that the Maduro regime systematically emptied prisons and mental health institutions to send dangerous individuals to the US as migrants.

Fact Check: Independent experts, including the Venezuelan Observatory of Violence and global prison specialists, have stated there is no evidence to support the claim that Venezuela, or any other nation, has emptied facilities to export prisoners to the United States.

Regional Tensions

The fallout extended to neighboring Colombia. When asked about comments made by Colombian President Gustavo Petro regarding the operation, President Trump issued a stark personal warning. Trump accused Petro of facilitating cocaine production for export to the US and advised the Colombian leader to be extremely cautious regarding his own safety.

President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday, citing concerns about drug trafficking in the wake of the US capture of Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro in a large-scale military operation.