Trump on Venezuela: “We are going to run the country”

In a stunning development announced during a White House press conference on January 3, 2026, President Donald Trump revealed that U.S. Armed Forces had conducted a military operation in Caracas, Venezuela, resulting in the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia.[1][2] Trump declared, “We’re there now,” emphasizing U.S. control to ensure peace, liberty, and justice for Venezuelans, while vowing, “We are going to run the country” alongside a local group to stabilize oil flows and protect the population.[1]

The Military Operation: A Swift Strike Against Maduro

The operation, directed by Trump and executed late on January 2 into early January 3, targeted Maduro’s regime in Venezuela’s capital.[1] U.S. forces used remotely piloted drones and joint air components to dismantle air defense systems, clearing paths for helicopters into the target area.[1] Trump described it as an “extraordinary military operation” that apprehended the Maduros on behalf of a Department of Justice request, bringing indicted terrorists to justice.[1]

This wasn’t just a raid—Trump framed it as a comprehensive response to years of Venezuelan aggression. Maduro’s forces, including the gang Tren de Aragua, had allegedly raped, tortured, and murdered Americans across U.S. cities, sent by the regime to terrorize citizens.[1] Venezuela had also seized and sold American oil assets and platforms, costing billions, and hosted foreign adversaries while acquiring offensive weapons threatening U.S. interests.[1] “Maduro will never again be able to threaten… We have now a border where nobody gets through,” Trump stated.[1]

The embargo on Venezuelan oil remains in effect, with the American Armada positioned and all military options open until U.S. demands are met.[1] Trump warned Venezuelan political and military figures: “What happened to Maduro can happen to them, and it will if they aren’t just fair, even to their people.”[1] By morning, Trump proclaimed, “In Venezuela, people are free. They’re free again… America is a safer nation this morning. It’s a prouder nation.”[1]

Trump’s Vision: Running Venezuela for Prosperity and Security

Responding to a reporter’s question—”You said that the U.S. is going to run Venezuela. So who’s in power right now?”—Trump clarified: “Well, we’re going to be running it with a group, and we’re going to make sure [oil is] flowing the way it should be… We’re going to run it properly and we’re going to make sure the people of Venezuela are taken care of.”[1] This marks a bold shift from past U.S. policies, positioning America directly in governance to prevent hostile takeovers.

Trump highlighted benefits for Venezuelans and the U.S. diaspora: The intervention “will make the people of Venezuela rich, independent, and safe,” while delighting millions of Venezuelan-Americans eager to return home.[1] He stressed preventing “somebody else takes over Venezuela that doesn’t have the good of the Venezuelan people in mind,” referencing decades of mismanagement.[1]

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the capture, aligning with Trump’s narrative of a successful joint military effort.[2] This operation serves as a “warning to anyone who would threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives,” Trump added.[1]

Broader Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy

This move underscores Trump’s America First doctrine applied aggressively in the Western Hemisphere. Venezuela’s oil wealth—once the world’s largest reserves—had been squandered under Maduro, leading to hyperinflation, mass exodus, and regional instability.[1] By deposing the “dictator and terrorist,” the U.S. aims to restore order, secure borders, and reclaim seized assets.

Critics may decry it as overreach, but Trump positions it as liberation: Venezuelans endured oppression for too long, and now “they’re free.”[1] The presence of U.S. forces ensures no power vacuum allows adversaries like China or Russia—previous Maduro allies—to regain footing.[1]

For Venezuelan-Americans, it’s personal. Trump noted their desire to reclaim their homeland, now safer from gangs like Tren de Aragua that infiltrated the U.S.[1] Economically, stabilizing oil production could flood markets with supply, lowering global prices and benefiting U.S. consumers.

What’s Next? U.S. Demands and the Path Forward

Trump retains leverage: The Armada stays poised, embargoes hold, and operations continue until demands are “fully met and fully satisfied.”[1] A transitional group, partnered with the U.S., will oversee governance, prioritizing fair oil management—a “minor flow” issue Trump vows to fix promptly.[1]

This isn’t occupation rhetoric but pragmatic stewardship. “We can’t take a chance,” Trump said, ensuring Venezuela’s riches benefit its people, not tyrants.[1] As the world digests this, the message is clear: Cross America, and face consequences—from Caracas to anywhere.

The press conference, streamed live, drew 1.4 million views, signaling global attention.[1] Maduro’s fall ends an era of hemispheric threats, ushering potential stability. For now, Trump’s words ring: America runs the show—for Venezuela’s good, and ours.

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Original source: BBC News – World – Trump on Venezuela: ‘We are going to run the country’