Sat Jan 03 18:23:51 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewrite as a news article:
Summary:
The United States, under President Trump, launched a military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Trump announced that the US will govern Venezuela until a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” is established, citing the need to rebuild the country’s oil infrastructure with the help of US companies. Maduro is being held on a US warship and will face drug and terrorism charges in the US. The operation, which included airstrikes in Caracas, follows months of escalating pressure and military action against alleged drug trafficking routes involving Venezuela. Trump’s actions have drawn comparisons to the US invasion of Panama and raise questions about the legality of intervening in another country’s sovereignty.
News Article:
US Forces Capture Maduro, Trump Declares US Will Govern Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela – In a stunning turn of events, US special forces launched a military operation in Venezuela early Saturday morning, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The announcement came hours later from US President Donald Trump, who stated that the United States will now govern Venezuela until a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” can be established.
“We’re going to run the country,” Trump declared at a press conference from his Florida mansion. “We’re designating people. We will have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure. We’ll be selling large amounts of oil.”
The operation, marked by explosions and airstrikes in Caracas, resulted in the seizure of Maduro and Flores from their residence within the Fort Tiuna military complex. Trump later posted a photograph on social media showing a blindfolded and handcuffed Maduro aboard a US warship, identified as the USS Iwo Jima, en route to New York.
US officials have announced that Maduro and his wife will face criminal charges in the United States, including narco-terrorism conspiracy.
Trump’s announcement has sparked international controversy, with critics questioning the legality of the US intervention and comparing it to the 1990 invasion of Panama. The Trump administration has yet to detail the legal basis for its actions, citing the lack of recognition of Maduro’s legitimacy.
The operation follows months of escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela, with US forces conducting military actions against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Maduro has repeatedly accused the US of using these operations as a pretext for regime change.
The future of Venezuela remains uncertain as the US prepares to administer the country. Trump offered no specific timeline for the transition of power or the involvement of Venezuelan leadership in the process.
First Piper 