In a dramatic press conference, US President Donald Trump offered a robust defence of American military actions inside Venezuela, which included the capture of the country's President, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife. The address, delivered on January 4, 2026, also saw Trump announce a significant move: the takeover of Venezuela and its vast oil reserves.
Trump's Major Announcements and Justifications
Facing the media following military strikes on the capital, Caracas, President Trump detailed the operation that led to Maduro's apprehension. He confirmed that the Venezuelan leader and his spouse are now in US custody. The President framed the intervention as a necessary step, culminating in the declaration of a US takeover of the nation and control over its precious petroleum resources. This announcement marks a seismic shift in the geopolitical landscape of the Latin American region.
The press conference was not without its tense moments. Journalists subjected Trump to a rigorous grilling on the legal and moral grounds for the invasion and the subsequent claims on Venezuelan sovereignty and assets. The President faced pointed questions regarding the operation, codenamed 'Op Absolute Resolve', which reportedly involved a massive deployment of 150 American aircraft and culminated in Maduro's capture within 30 minutes.
The Fallout and Immediate Aftermath
The capture operation had its moments of high drama. Trump revealed details of Maduro's final moments before capture, describing a fortress with steel doors, an exchange of gunfire, and a failed escape attempt. Following his capture, Maduro was transported to the United States. Videos showed the handcuffed Venezuelan president being escorted by FBI agents, even giving a thumbs-up gesture at a DEA office upon arrival in New York.
With Maduro deposed and no clear successor from his administration taking the helm, political control in Venezuela has shifted. Reports indicate that Delcy Rodríguez now rules the country, emerging as a new president who effectively toppled Trump's initial plans for a post-Maduro transition. The move has sparked intense reactions globally and within the US, where protests both supporting and condemning the action clashed in cities like New York and Washington.
International Reactions and Stakes
The US action has drawn sharp responses from world powers. China, which has an estimated $100 billion in investments at stake in Venezuela, issued a stern ultimatum to President Trump, demanding an end to what it termed the 'toppling' of governments. Meanwhile, in a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was reported to have urged Trump to similarly 'capture' Russian leader Vladimir Putin, suggesting Maduro's abduction set a precedent.
The United Nations is likely to scrutinise the operation, especially after emerging unseen video allegedly showed a Venezuelan missile striking a US helicopter during the invasion—an incident Trump admitted was a 'pretty bad' hit for American forces. As the situation develops, the focus remains on the control of one of the world's largest oil reserves and the new, uncertain political order in Venezuela.
