President Trump says U.S. Forces Captured Venezuela’s Maduro in Unprecedented Operation

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that American forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic operation and transferred him to New York to face indictment, declaring that the United States would temporarily oversee Venezuela until a new government is established.

Speaking at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump described the operation as unprecedented in scale and precision, claiming it was the most significant U.S. military action of its kind since World War II.

“At my direction, we launched an operation not seen since World War II,” Trump said. “Not a single American soldier was killed. We didn’t lose a single piece of equipment.”

‘Orderly and Clean Transition’

Trump said Washington would administer Venezuela during what he described as an interim period.

“We’re going to run Venezuela until we can have a proper, clean transition to ensure justice and freedom,” he said. “We can’t take the chance that someone else steps in right now.”

He added that the United States would allow major American oil companies to operate in Venezuela and oversee the country’s energy sector during the transition.

Threat of Further Military Action

Trump warned that additional military action remained possible.

“We’re ready for another wave if needed,” he said. “The first wave was very successful, but if necessary, the second wave will be much larger.”

Intelligence and Planning

In a separate briefing, a CIA official said U.S. intelligence agencies played a central role in enabling the operation. The official said a small CIA team had been operating covertly in Venezuela since August, gathering detailed intelligence on Maduro’s movements and security.

According to the official, senior administration figures — including the CIA director, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and the president himself — formed a core decision-making group that met frequently over several months.

Detention and Legal Proceedings

Trump said a decision was still pending on whether Maduro would be held in New York or transferred to Miami, citing political and legal considerations.

Asked whether Congress had been briefed ahead of the operation, Trump said lawmakers were not informed in advance. “Congress tends to leak,” he said.

Vice President and Administration Messaging

Earlier on Saturday, Vice President J.D. Vance said Trump had offered Maduro multiple off-ramps to resolve the crisis peacefully but remained firm on core demands.

“The drug trade must stop, and stolen oil must be returned to the United States,” Vance wrote on X. “President Trump means exactly what he says.”