“We can’t take a chance that someone else takes over Venezuela who doesn’t have the interests of Venezuelans in mind.”AdvertisementIt is unclear how Trump plans to oversee Venezuela. Trump did not provide specific answers to repeated questions from reporters about how the U.S. would run Venezuela. The US operation that led to the capture of Maduro sparked alarm across the international community, with allies and foes of Washington and Caracas expressing disquiet. (Photo by Pedro MATTEY / AFP via Getty Images) PEDRO MATTEY via Getty ImagesPOTENTIAL POWER VACUUMThe removal of Maduro, who led Venezuela with a heavy hand for more than 12 years, potentially opens a power vacuum in the Latin American country. The United States has leveled similar charges against Maduro, accusing him of running a “narco-state” and rigging the 2024 election.

Source: Huffington Post January 03, 2026 20:51 UTC