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WASHINGTON – The United States apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a dawn military operation on Saturday, and will govern the oil-rich nation until a power transition can take place, according to President Donald Trump. This marks the end of months of pressure on the South American leader due to accusations of drug trafficking and criminal connections.

Trump stated that the Venezuelan leader and his wife, who were taken out of their country to New York, will be charged with crimes in the United States, calling Maduro an “unlawful dictator” and accusing him of being “responsible for smuggling large quantities of dangerous and illegal drugs into the United States.”

Addressing the media a few hours following his original declaration regarding the capture shared on social media, Trump spoke from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, stating, “We will continue to manage the country until we are able to carry out a secure, appropriate, and thoughtful transition.”

“We don’t want to get involved with someone else getting in,” Trump stated, offering no specifics on how the United States plans to handle Venezuela.

However, Trump stated that he would have significant American companies access Venezuela’s oil reserves, which are the biggest globally, to begin generating funds for Venezuela and revitalizing it.

Trump also mentioned that U.S. forces are ready to conduct another strike against Venezuela when needed and indicated that his administration is not dismissing the possibility of sending in ground troops as part of the regime change effort.

The government of Maduro criticized the United States for launching an “imperialist attack” on both civilian and military sites in the capital, Caracas, following several explosions and aircraft flying at low altitudes.

The American military action, conducted without approval from Congress or an immediate threat to national security, sparked legal debates both within the country and internationally.

The mission might also have consequences for other areas across the globe.

Russia, which launched an invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and China, which has taken a more assertive stance toward Taiwan, both strong allies of Venezuela, swiftly criticized the U.S. involvement.

“China is deeply shocked and strongly criticizes the U.S.’s open use of force against a sovereign nation and actions targeting its president,” stated the country’s Foreign Ministry in a declaration, noting that such “domineering” actions by the Trump administration breach international law.

In response to a request from Venezuela, the U.N. Security Council will convene an urgent session on Monday morning regarding the U.S. actions.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez stated during a speech aired on state television that Maduro, who has been in charge since 2013, is the sole leader of the South American nation and called for the immediate release of him and his wife by the United States.