LIVE: Trump says US will 'run' Venezuela until 'proper and judicious transition' takes place

U.S. President Trump holds press conference following U.S. military strike on Venezuela, in Palm Beach

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio look on during a press conference following a U.S. strike on Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured, from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Source: REUTERS

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States has "captured" Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

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According to Trump, they were flown out of Venezuela following “large-scale” strikes.

The Venezuelan government has accused the United States of launching attacks on both civilian and military sites in several states. In response to the incidents, President Maduro’s administration declared a national emergency. Officials described the situation as an act of “military aggression” by Washington and rejected the strikes.

During his first public address following the attack on Caracas, Trump stated the US will remain involved in Venezuela until what he calls a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” takes place, arguing this is necessary to protect peace, liberty, and the interests of Venezuelans at home and abroad. He also claims US oil companies would invest billions to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and revive production, which he described as having collapsed over decades.

This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.

Edward Sakyi [email protected]