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US President Donald Trump has made a bold move, stating the US will "run the country" of Venezuela until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" of power takes place. In an interview, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced this position by stating that Trump will set the terms, emphasising an end to drug trafficking and returning Venezuelan oil to the US. The announcement follows a significant US military operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

The intervention in Venezuela marks a historical moment, with Hegseth describing the operation as the "most sophisticated, most complicated, most successful joint special operations raid of all time." This intervention seeks to stabilise the country, especially regarding American interests in Venezuelan oil. Hegseth stressed that the prior Venezuelan actions against American oil interests were unacceptable, and Trump is determined to recapture these assets.

Despite the bold statements, the Trump administration has revealed few details about the long-term plan. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that Congress was not notified in advance about the operation, which Hegseth described as a "law enforcement exercise.". However, Hegseth promised to keep Congress informed should further action be necessary.

Looking forward, Hegseth outlined a future where American companies will invest in Venezuela and revitalise its oil industry, which is currently operating at only 20% capacity. The US military remains poised in the Caribbean, enforcing an oil blockade imposed last month. Ultimately, Hegseth believes this intervention will benefit American and Venezuelan interests, enhancing security and prosperity for both nations.

Key Takeaways

• Trump declares the US will run Venezuela until a transition occurs.

• Operation captures Maduro; hailed as a historic military success.

• Future plans include US investment and increased oil capacity.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from CBS News 2026-01-05

 

 

26 minutes ago, webfact said:

US President Donald Trump has made a bold move, stating the US will "run the country" of Venezuela until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" of power takes place.

What is the legal definition of "run"?

Also from the above: ... which Hegseth described as a "law enforcement exercise."

Great. You got the 2 indicted fugitives. Now go home. Unless it was something else.

What could possibly go wrong?

45 minutes ago, webfact said:

returning Venezuelan oil to the US.

46 minutes ago, webfact said:

especially regarding American interests in Venezuelan oil.

46 minutes ago, webfact said:

prior Venezuelan actions against American oil interests were unacceptable, and Trump is determined to recapture these assets

And there you have it.....THEFT totally illegal.

One of the justifications given by the Trump regime for their illegal attack on Venezuela was that Maduro had stolen the election from the actual winner.

The fix then would be to allow that winner to immediately declare a government and America to leave Venezuela to be run by its lawfully elected leader.

I doubt that’s what the plans handed to Trump have on store for the sovereign nation of Venezuela.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The intervention in Venezuela marks a historical moment, with Hegseth describing the operation as the "most sophisticated, most complicated, most successful joint special operations raid of all time."

Or as The Joker (played by Jack Nicholson) says in 1989 Batman:

Where does he get those wonderful toys?"

Hegseth Backs Trump Plan to Govern Venezuela

Who would have thought?

How do you 'run' Venezuela with acting President Delcy Rodriguez - Maduro's right hand women, also the Minister of Petroleum. Their defence minister seems to be a little annoyed as well. Perhaps a full US compliance is on the horizon or more Special Operator extractions ?

The Trump regime with Hegseth among its most ridiculously incompetent officials can't even run the USA. They're not going to run Venezuela.

22 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

One of the justifications given by the Trump regime for their illegal attack on Venezuela was that Maduro had stolen the election from the actual winner.

The fix then would be to allow that winner to immediately declare a government and America to leave Venezuela to be run by its lawfully elected leader.

I doubt that’s what the plans handed to Trump have on store for the sovereign nation of Venezuela.

As I've said from the start Trump has no interest in furthering democracy in Venezuela, or even in the USA for that matter. If anyone doesn't get that by now, they're not paying attention. Maduro deserved to go down, but the Venezuelan people have not been "liberated" by Trump in any way, and they deserve much better.

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

The Trump regime with Hegseth among its most ridiculously incompetent officials can't even run the USA. They're not going to run Venezuela.

Regime Leader Stephen Miller ( crack head ) seems to have it figured out 😉

As if this man has any moral authority whatsoever. We're talking about a tiny, incredibly insignificant drunkard of a man, who went from being a relatively insignificant news host to SEC DEF overnight, and seems to be very much enjoying himself with all these explosives at his disposal and the ensuing killing. With his maturity level he probably thinks it's some sort of video game.

make Venezuela another state of America.... Just like Puerto Rico... Problem solved

First learn to run your country properly then think about running other countries😂😂😂😂

"Plan? We don't need no stinkin' plan."

No plan when took over Iraq... how did that work out?

Colin Powell (remember when military with brain was in repub party?) said there has got to be an exit strategy. "We'll take all their oil" doesn't qualify

Pete Hegseth would back Trump if Trump proposed to invade the Vatican and kidnapping the Pope for being too woke.

9 hours ago, Jingthing said:

As I've said from the start Trump has no interest in furthering democracy in Venezuela, or even in the USA for that matter. If anyone doesn't get that by now, they're not paying attention. Maduro deserved to go down, but the Venezuelan people have not been "liberated" by Trump in any way, and they deserve much better.

They don’t give a flying **** about democracy, or ‘liberating’ Venezuela. Big oil companies gave Trump $500 million for his campaign. I’m just spitballing here, but they probably want to get involved here and make mucho dinero. And Trump is going to want a cut of that, no doubt.

Perhaps some of you saw the clip of dRumph talking on AirForce 1 on his way back to Washington from Florida....when asked who was going to be in charge of Venezuela, he looked behind him at Little Marco and a few other sycophants, and said "these guys standing behind me". By the surprised look on their faces, it was obvious that dRumph was making stuff up on the spot. Forget about running a country....dRumph couldn't even run a casino!

1 hour ago, b17 said:

Perhaps some of you saw the clip of dRumph talking on AirForce 1 on his way back to Washington from Florida....when asked who was going to be in charge of Venezuela, he looked behind him at Little Marco and a few other sycophants, and said "these guys standing behind me". By the surprised look on their faces, it was obvious that dRumph was making stuff up on the spot. Forget about running a country....dRumph couldn't even run a casino!

Trump -- shambolic at home, shambolic abroad.

2 hours ago, b17 said:

Perhaps some of you saw the clip of dRumph talking on AirForce 1 on his way back to Washington from Florida....when asked who was going to be in charge of Venezuela, he looked behind him at Little Marco and a few other sycophants, and said "these guys standing behind me". By the surprised look on their faces, it was obvious that dRumph was making stuff up on the spot. Forget about running a country....dRumph couldn't even run a casino!

Well he's certainly quite an expert at bankrupting a casino, and many other businesses, we certainly saw that. And how do you bankrupt a casino anyway? I haven't heard of very many casinos that lose money.