The United States is now taking control of Venezuela, according to President Donald Trump, who said the move followed the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Speaking publicly, Trump said the takeover would remain in place until a transition he considers safe and carefully handled can be completed.

US military forces carried out strikes on Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, marking a dramatic escalation. Afterward, Trump confirmed the operation and said Maduro was taken into custody and removed from the country, along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

During a press conference later that day, Trump repeatedly praised the US military for what he described as a successful mission. He said: “We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”

Trump said the US does not want to install a new leader too quickly and risk repeating past outcomes. He explained: “We don’t want to be involved with having somebody else get in and we have the same situation that we had for the last long period of years.”

He stressed that any transition must be handled carefully and with restraint. Trump said: “We want peace, liberty and justice for the great people of Venezuela,” and noted that many Venezuelans now living in the United States want to return to what he called their homeland.

Trump also spoke about economic plans tied to the takeover. He said large US oil companies are ready to move into Venezuela, invest billions of dollars, repair damaged oil infrastructure, and begin generating income for the country.

The president warned that military action could continue if needed. He said the US was prepared for a second and much larger attack, though he added that it might not be necessary because the initial operation exceeded expectations.

Earlier on Saturday, Trump shared additional details in an interview with Fox News. He said the operation had been delayed due to weather, explaining: “We were going to do this four days ago, but the weather was not perfect… all of a sudden it opened up and we said go.” Trump also described Maduro’s location as heavily fortified, said a few US soldiers were injured but recovering, and added that he watched the capture unfold “literally like I was watching a television show.”