Overview
- Trump says U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in an overnight operation and are transporting them aboard the USS Iwo Jima, though independent verification of the image and all details remains limited.
- Washington will administer Venezuela on a temporary basis until an “orderly” transition, with Trump’s national security team leading the effort and contacts initiated with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.
- Maduro and Flores will be prosecuted in U.S. courts on narcoterrorism and related charges, with Trump indicating the Southern District of New York as a possible venue.
- Trump announced that major U.S. oil companies will invest billions to repair and restart Venezuela’s petroleum infrastructure as part of a U.S.-directed reconstruction plan.
- The president said Venezuelan military capabilities were neutralized during the assault and warned U.S. forces are prepared for a larger second wave of attacks if required.