The United States has detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flown him out of the country following what was described as a surprise military operation early Saturday, marking a major turning point after months of escalating pressure from the Trump administration.
Maduro and his wife were taken overnight from their home on a military base, according to the account, and placed aboard a U.S. warship. The ship was said to be headed to New York, where Maduro was expected to face criminal charges.
In Washington, President Donald Trump said the United States planned to run Venezuela until a transition of power can take place. He claimed the American presence was already in place, though there were no immediate signs that the U.S. had assumed control of government operations.
In Caracas, Venezuelan state television continued broadcasting pro-Maduro messaging while airing live images of supporters gathering in the streets to protest.
Who Trump says will run Venezuela
During a press conference, Trump was asked who would be running Venezuela until a transition of power can take place. He responded that “the people that are standing right behind me” would be running it “for a period of time.”
The comment appeared to point to senior officials in his administration, though no detailed structure for temporary oversight was immediately outlined.
Questions over legality
The detention and removal of a sitting leader quickly raised legal questions. The U.S. does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, and the legal implications of the strike under U.S. law were not immediately clear.
The Trump administration argues that Maduro is not the legitimate leader of Venezuela and claims he has effectively turned the country into a criminal enterprise serving drug traffickers and terrorist groups.
Venezuela’s leadership uncertainty
The situation inside Venezuela remained fluid. Under Venezuelan law, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez should take power, but there was no confirmation that had happened.
Maduro’s government accused the United States of an “imperialist attack” on civilian and military installations and urged citizens to take to the streets. State TV coverage showed supporters mobilizing in Caracas as the country confronted a fast-moving political crisis with no clear endpoint.
