Trump says US will oversee Venezuela's government during interim period
"We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," Trump said during a press conference in the US state of Florida, where he appeared alongside senior officials from his administration, including top defense and diplomatic figures.
He added that Washington seeks peace, freedom, and justice for the Venezuelan people, whom he described as the "great people" of the country.
Earlier the same day, Trump announced that the United States had launched what he called a "large scale strike" against Venezuela, confirming that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been detained and removed from the country.
“Late last night and early today, at my direction, the United States Armed Forces conducted an extraordinary military operation in the capital of Venezuela (Caracas).
"Overwhelming American military power, air, land, and sea was used to launch a spectacular assault – and it was an assault like people have not seen since World War II," Trump told reporters.
He said Maduro and Flores were apprehended during the operation and would be prosecuted through the US legal system.
"This was one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history," he added.
Trump said the pair had been placed aboard a US Navy vessel, the USS Iwo Jima, and were being transported toward New York. As stated by reports, unnamed sources indicated Maduro was expected to briefly stop at a US military facility in Guantanamo Bay before being transferred to an aircraft bound for New York.
"Maduro and his wife will soon face the full might of American justice and stand trial on American soil," Trump said.
He emphasized that the mission resulted in no American casualties and no loss of US military equipment.
According to Trump, the US military had been ready to launch a “second wave” of strikes if circumstances required, though he said that appeared unnecessary at this stage.
“The American armada remains poised in position, and the United States retains all military options until United States demands have been fully met and fully satisfied,” he added.
Trump also accused Venezuela of increasingly hosting foreign adversaries in the region.
"All of these actions were in gross violation of the core principles of American foreign policy dating back two centuries ... all the way back to the Monroe Doctrine. And the Monroe Doctrine is a big deal ... They now call it the Donroe Doctrine," he said.
He further confirmed that the US embargo on Venezuelan oil, imposed late last year, remains "in full effect."
US 'not afraid of boots on the ground."
When asked to clarify how Washington plans to govern Venezuela during the interim period, Trump said his administration would manage the country "with a group."
"We’re going to make sure it’s run properly. We’re going to make sure the people of Venezuela are taken care of and we’re going to make sure the people of Venezuela who were forced out by this thug are taken care of," he added.
He also stressed that US military involvement would not be limited to air and naval power, stating that Washington is "not afraid of boots on the ground."
Pressed on the specific mechanism the US would use to oversee Venezuela in the coming days, Trump said, “We’re designating people right now,” adding, “We’re going to let you know who those people are.”
Following Maduro’s capture, Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed authority. Trump said the US secretary of state had already been in contact with her.
"She was sworn in as president just a little while ago. She had a long conversation with Marco, and she said, 'We'll do whatever you need.' I think she was quite gracious, but she really doesn't have a choice," Trump said.
Commenting on opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, Trump said it would be "very tough" for her to assume leadership.
"She doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country, she's a very nice woman but she doesn't have the respect," he said.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, provided operational details about the military action, known as "Operation Absolute Resolve."
Caine said the mission was "discreet, precise, and ... the culmination of months of planning and rehearsal -- an operation that, frankly, only the United States military could undertake."
He said more than 150 aircraft—including bombers, fighter jets, intelligence and surveillance platforms, and helicopters—were deployed during the operation.
"At 10.46 pm eastern time last night, the president ordered the United States military to move forward with this mission ... He said to us ... 'Good luck, and Godspeed' -- and those words were transmitted to the entire joint force," Caine said.
Several Democratic lawmakers criticized the strikes on Saturday, describing them as "illegal."
In response, the secretary of state said members of Congress were contacted immediately after the mission concluded.
"At its core, this was an arrest of two indicted fugitives of American justice ... it's just not the kind of mission that you can pre-notify because it endangers the mission," he said.
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