Trump Seizes Venezuela After Military Ousts Maduro: US to Run Nation, Tap Oil Reserves Amid Global Fury
President Trump on Saturday (January 3, 2026) announced the capture of the Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, in a military operation that appeared to be the culmination of a campaign against Mr. Maduro.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) January 4: Hours after a “stunning” military operation that removed the Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, from power and ousted him, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday (January 3, 2026) that the U.S. would run Venezuela at least temporarily and would exploit its vast oil reserves to sell to other countries.
Supreme Court Backs Rodríguez as Acting President
The Constitutional Chamber of Venezuela’s Supreme Court ruled that Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez assume the role of acting President of the country in the absence of Nicolás Maduro, who was detained early Saturday (January 3, 2026) morning in an operation by American forces.
Speaking live on television, Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez demanded that the U.S. free Mr. Maduro and called him "the only President of the country". The legal authority for the incursion, done without congressional consent, still did not immediately become clear.
Trump Vows Oil Boom
The Trump administration has promoted the removal as a way of reducing the flow of dangerous drugs into the United States. On Saturday (January 3), President Donald Trump said he would allow American oil companies to enter Venezuela and extract oil from its vast reserves, following a U.S. military operation that took the presidency from Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela produces just under a million barrels of crude a day as per the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the vast majority of that oil is sold on the black market at steep discounts.
“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country,” Trump said.
Maduro Captured, Flown to Face Narco-Terror Charges
Mr. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were removed from their home on a military base and boarded a U.S. warship en route to New York, where they were to face criminal charges. They were also charged with involvement in narco-terrorism conspiracy, an indictment concluded.
His capture followed months-long deadly strikes on boats suspected of carrying drugs along with the seizure of two tankers carrying Venezuelan oil and a U.S. military buildup off the coast of South America.
China Slams 'Violation of International Law,' Urges Maduro's Release
China’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday (January 4) that the United States should immediately release Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife and settle the situation in Venezuela through dialogue and negotiation.
The Ministry said in a statement on its website that the United States should also ensure the personal safety of Mr. Maduro and his wife, stating that their deportation violated international law and norms.
