US Captures Maduro As Trump Vows To Run Venezuela And Seize Oil

US Captures Maduro As Trump Vows To ‘Run’ Venezuela And Seize Oil Wealth

The United States says it has captured Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic overnight military operation — and Donald Trump now says Washington will effectively “run” Venezuela while American oil companies move in to take control of the country’s vast energy resources.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown under heavy guard to New York after being seized in Caracas and are now reportedly being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center on drug-trafficking and weapons charges. Trump published a photo of Maduro blindfolded aboard the USS Iwo Jima, boasting that the operation — codenamed Absolute Resolve — was carried out with elite US Delta Force troops and months of CIA surveillance.

Explosions Across Caracas As US Forces Move In

Residents in Caracas reported a night of explosions, blackouts and helicopters. At least five targets were hit, including the La Carlota air base, the Fuerte Tiuna military complex and critical telecoms sites. Venezuela claims civilian areas were struck and casualties are being counted. Washington says the first wave was so overwhelming that a second wave was not needed.

Trump said he watched the raid live as Maduro tried — and failed — to lock himself inside a fortified safe room. More than 150 aircraft were reportedly involved in transporting and supporting the operation.

Power Vacuum And Fury In Caracas

Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez has been declared interim president by Venezuela’s Supreme Court and is demanding Maduro’s release, insisting he remains the country’s only legitimate leader. She has already spoken with the US Secretary of State — and Trump coolly remarked she “doesn’t have a choice”.

The Venezuelan government has accused the US of armed aggression designed to seize oil and smash national sovereignty, saying Washington has long sought regime change.

Trump: America Will Run Venezuela — And Take The Oil

In one of the most extraordinary statements ever made about a foreign country, Trump declared the US would “run Venezuela until there is a safe and proper transition”, openly confirming that American oil companies will now move in.

He added that the US would extract “a tremendous amount of wealth from the ground” to benefit both Venezuelans and Americans — and to reimburse Washington for its military and political spending. Asked about deploying US troops inside Venezuela, Trump replied bluntly: “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground.”

Charges — And A $50m Bounty

Maduro and Flores face narco-terror and weapons charges in New York, relating to cocaine trafficking and alleged cartel leadership. Washington had previously placed a $50 million bounty on Maduro’s capture. He denies all allegations and says the US invented the drug claims as cover for seizing Venezuelan oil.

Shockwaves Across The World

Russia, China, Iran and Brazil have condemned the operation as an illegal act of aggression. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned it sets a “dangerous precedent.” Meanwhile, Argentina’s Javier Milei cheered it on — and the UK’s Keir Starmer said London would “shed no tears” over Maduro’s fall, while tut-tutting about international law.

Trump, however, appears utterly unmoved by diplomatic niceties. His message to Venezuela — and the world — is unmistakable: Washington is now in charge.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The U.S. dramatically escalates its confrontation with Caracas
   Washington’s capture of Nicolás Maduro in a covert Delta Force raid marks an unprecedented move — effectively toppling a sitting president and declaring plans to “run” Venezuela during a transition, while eyeing control of its vast oil wealth.

2. Venezuela is plunged into uncertainty as allies condemn the strike
   Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez is positioned as interim leader while explosions, mass detentions, and emergency deployments rock the capital. Russia, China, Iran, Brazil, and others blast the U.S. for violating sovereignty and setting a dangerous international precedent.

3. Maduro now faces U.S. narco-terror charges — and a geopolitical firestorm
   Indicted on drug and weapons counts, Maduro is held in New York as the White House vows American oil firms will rebuild and profit from Venezuela’s industry — a move likely to inflame tensions at home and abroad, and test the limits of U.S. power projection.

SOURCE: BBC