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CatastrophicAbuse of PowerSecond Term

Trump Launches a Military Operation to Capture Maduro and Says, 'We're Going to Run the Country'

January 3, 2026Updated October 2, 20264 sources19 key facts

January 3, 2026: Trump announced U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro using 'overwhelming military power, air land and sea“ to 'launch a spectacular assault” against 'heavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas.“ Venezuelan civilians and service members killed. Trump stated: ”We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." Did not notify Congress - violates War Powers Resolution.

Chatham House: May be 'the moment when Western Europe realizes that the U.S. has abandoned the core values.“ Sen. Warner: ”Does this mean any large country can indict the ruler of a smaller adjacent country and take that person out?" Critics call it neo-colonialism and resource extraction disguised as anti-drug operation.

Key Facts16
  • 01January 3, 2026: Trump announced U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro
  • 02Described 'extraordinary military operation' using 'overwhelming military power, air land and sea' to 'launch a spectacular assault'
  • 03Venezuelan casualties: Both civilians and service members killed; large part of Maduro's security team killed
  • 04Maduro charged with drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies by AG Pam Bondi
  • 05'We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition'
  • 06U.S. plans to govern Venezuela with no clear timeline or exit strategy
  • 07Administration serving 'triple goals of crippling Maduro, hitting drug trade routes and getting access to Venezuela oil'
  • 08Administration expressed interest in Venezuela's large deposits of gold and rare earth minerals
  • 09Critics call it neo-colonialism and resource extraction disguised as anti-drug operation
  • 10Did not notify Congress in advance - bucks laws and precedents requiring Congressional notification
  • 11Violates War Powers Resolution requirements
  • 12Chatham House: May be 'the moment when Western Europe realizes that the U.S. has abandoned the core values that united them for the past century'
  • 13Sen. Mark Warner (D): 'Does this mean any large country can indict the ruler of a smaller adjacent country and take that person out?'
  • 14Setting dangerous international precedent for military interventions
  • 15Trump dismissed María Corina Machado (2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner) as 'very nice woman' who 'doesn't have the support'
  • 16Trump suggested partnering with Maduro loyalist Delcy Rodríguez as interim president instead
Sources4
Verified across 4 sources
—News Reports
NPR: 'We are going to run the country,' Trump says after strike on Venezuela→NPR: Trump says U.S. will 'run' Venezuela and sell seized oil in remarks on the strikes→NBC News: Trump says U.S. will govern Venezuela until there's a 'proper transition'→
foreign-policywar-powersregime-changevenezuela