CARACAS, Venezuela — Hours after an brazen military operation that plucked leader Nicolás Maduro from power and removed him from the country, President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States would run Venezuela at least temporarily and tap its vast oil reserves to sell to other nations.
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President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
FILE - Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, left, smiles at Venezuelan Defense Minister Padrino Lopez, as they take the route that the body of late President Hugo Chavez was transported to his final resting place, during the activities marking the 10th anniversary of Chavez's death, in Caracas, Venezuela, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)
US captures Venezuela's leader in military operation
Men watch smoke rising from a dock Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at La Guaira port, Venezuela, after explosions were heard.
Pedestrians walk past destroyed containers Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at La Guaira port, Venezuela, after explosions were heard.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, then Constituent National Assembly President Delcy Rodriguez, left, and first lady Cilia Flores, wave May 24, 2018, as they arrive at the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela.
Residents evacuate a building Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, near the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard.
Soldiers guard the area around the Miraflores presidential palace Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Caracas, Venezuela, after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard.
Pedestrians walk past the Miraflores presidential palace Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Caracas, Venezuela, after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard.
Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro was captured.
Venezuelans celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Lima, Peru, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured.
Pro-government armed civilians patrol Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in La Guaira, Venezuela, after U.S. President Donald Trump said President Nicolás Maduro was captured.
Smoke rises Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, from Fort Tiuna, the main military garrison in Caracas, Venezuela, after aircraft swept through the area and multiple explosions were heard.
A destroyed armored vehicle sits Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at La Carlota airport in Caracas, Venezuela, after explosions were reported at the site.
Pro-government armed civilians deploy Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Caracas, Venezuela, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro was captured.
Police and pro-government armed civilians block streets Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Caracas, Venezuela.
National Guard armored vehicles block an avenue Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, leading to Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela.
