Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court in Manhattan on Monday, following his capture by U.S. armed forces in Caracas on Saturday. This high-profile operation, which has been dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, was the culmination of months of planning and was approved by President Donald Trump just four days prior.
Reports indicate that the capture involved extensive military coordination, with over 150 aircraft, including F-35 and F-22 fighter jets and B-1 bombers, launching from 20 bases across the Western Hemisphere. General Dan Caine, a top U.S. military official, confirmed that President Trump observed the mission via livestream at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.
At a press conference, Trump announced that the U.S. would assume control of Venezuela for the time being, potentially deploying U.S. forces as needed. “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that a successor does not prioritize foreign interests over those of Venezuelans.
Trump also claimed that the U.S. occupation “won’t cost us a penny,” citing Venezuela’s oil reserves as a source for reimbursement. He mentioned that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had communicated with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s presumptive successor, with Rodríguez acknowledging the U.S.’s role.
When questioned about how this operation aligns with his “America First” strategy, Trump highlighted the need for stability and energy resources in the region, asserting that the U.S. aims to create a safer neighborhood by surrounding itself with stable nations. He reiterated assurances that oil companies would invest in Venezuela, minimizing any financial burden on the U.S. as the situation unfolds.
