Trump Announces U.S. Oversight of Venezuela After Maduro’s Capture
On March 15, 2024, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would assume control of Venezuela following the capture of the nation’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, during a military operation. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump described the operation as a remarkable display of American military capability and confirmed that Maduro had been apprehended “in the dead of night.”
Trump stated, “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.” He emphasized that the U.S. would maintain oversight of Venezuela as it navigates this transition of power. The president characterized the military operation as “one of the most stunning effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history.” He added that there were no casualties among American servicemembers and no loss of U.S. equipment during the operation.
Details of the operation revealed that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured without incident. According to reports, the couple is currently en route to New York City. Pam Bondi, Attorney General of Florida, announced on social media that the pair had been indicted in the Southern District of New York for drug conspiracy and other charges stemming from a 2020 indictment. Bondi stated, “They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”
Witnesses in Caracas reported hearing at least seven blasts during the late-night operation, which targeted military bases and airports across the capital. The operation’s timing and execution were described as highly strategic, with Trump noting that many lights in Caracas were turned off to facilitate the operation’s success.
The implications of this military action could have far-reaching effects on U.S.-Venezuelan relations and regional stability in South America. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how the Venezuelan populace will react to this unprecedented intervention and what measures will be taken to establish a new government structure in the country.
