US President Donald Trump declared that the US would “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be ensured after US strikes led to the capture of the country’s President Nicolás Maduro. Trump further stated that US oil companies would repair Venezuela’s “broken infrastructure” and “start making money for the country.”
The Strikes and the Capture of Maduro
On Saturday, the US launched strikes on Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Maduro and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores. The couple was taken from Caracas aboard a US helicopter and transported to the USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sea. They were then flown to Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in Cuba before being transferred to New York City’s Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Maduro and Flores had been indicted on charges related to narco-terrorism, machine guns, and conspiracy to commit these acts against the US.
Trump’s Plan to “Run” Venezuela
During a press conference before Maduro’s arrival in New York, Trump stated that US oil companies would take charge of Venezuela’s oil industry, which has been in decline for years. He criticized Venezuela’s oil business, calling it a “total bust,” and revealed that the US would inject billions of dollars to fix the infrastructure. Trump highlighted that Venezuela’s oil reserves, estimated at 303 billion barrels, account for about 20% of the world’s oil resources.
Trump mentioned that the US would lead Venezuela with a “group” of individuals, and noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been in contact with Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s Vice President, who reportedly expressed willingness to cooperate with the US.
International Reactions
Venezuela denounced the actions as “military aggression,” and Vice President Rodríguez reiterated that Maduro was the “only president” of Venezuela, warning the country was ready to defend itself. Meanwhile, Russia and China condemned the strikes, with Russia calling it “armed aggression” and China expressing shock at the attack on a sovereign nation. Latin American countries, including Colombia and Brazil, also criticized the US actions.
On the other hand, some US allies had a more reserved response. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that the UK regarded Maduro as an “illegitimate president” but urged for a peaceful transition of power. The EU and France’s President Emmanuel Macron echoed similar calls for peaceful solutions respecting the Venezuelan people’s will.
The Ongoing Conflict and US Drug War Efforts
In recent months, the US has been actively involved in counter-narcotic efforts in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, launching over 30 strikes targeting drug trafficking boats, killing over 100 individuals. While the US has justified these strikes as part of its war on drugs, evidence linking Venezuela to major drug trafficking is limited. Experts claim that Venezuela mainly serves as a transit country for drugs produced elsewhere.
Trump’s Plan for Venezuela’s Oil Industry
Trump’s plans for Venezuela’s oil industry highlight the country’s vast oil reserves, one of the largest in the world. With US oil companies expected to invest billions, Venezuela may see significant shifts in its energy infrastructure. However, questions remain about how the US will oversee this process and how it aligns with Venezuela’s sovereignty.
In response to the US military intervention, some analysts have raised concerns over the legality of the US actions, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warning that international law must apply to the situation.
Conclusion
The US’s military strikes on Venezuela and the subsequent capture of President Nicolás Maduro mark a dramatic escalation in the ongoing political crisis. While President Trump plans to steer the country’s recovery with the help of US oil companies, the international community remains divided on the legitimacy and consequences of the US’s actions. As Venezuela faces a transition period, the world watches closely to see how the situation unfolds.
Adapted from BBC News
