January 4, 2026 | Washington / Palm Beach — Dalena Reporters
United States President Donald J. Trump has outlined a dramatic shift in U.S. policy toward Venezuela, announcing that Washington intends not only to remove President Nicolás Maduro but to effectively “run the country” until a transition of power can be achieved a stance that marks a striking departure from Trump’s earlier foreign policy rhetoric and carries profound implications for U.S.–Latin America relations, global geopolitics, and international law.
At a midday press conference on Saturday, January 3, 2026, held at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida following the overnight military operation in Caracas, Trump declared that the United States will maintain a degree of control over Venezuelan governance “until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.” He acknowledged that how that control will be exercised remains fluid but indicated U.S. readiness to remain involved for the foreseeable future.
The statements followed a surprise U.S. military operation in which American forces struck multiple targets in Venezuela’s capital, contributing to power outages in southern districts and culminating in the capture of Maduro and his wife, who are being transported to the United States to face indictments on drug-trafficking and other charges.
Trump justified the intervention as aligned with national security interests, asserting that it would help prevent adversarial forces from dominating Venezuela and ensure the welfare of the Venezuelan people. He also cited Venezuela’s vast oil reserves as part of the strategic calculation, promising that U.S. oil companies would help rehabilitate the nation’s energy infrastructure and contribute to economic recovery.
The president’s new direction represents a substantial pivot from his earlier “America First” foreign policy, which often emphasized avoiding foreign entanglements. **Trump critics — including lawmakers from both U.S. political parties — decried the move as inconsistent with his previous rhetoric and warned of the legal and constitutional questions it raises, especially given the lack of explicit Congressional authorization for such military action.
The implications are significant: analysts caution that the United States may be drawn into a long-term political and administrative role in Venezuela, with challenges reminiscent of historical interventions in nations such as Iraq and Panama. Senior foreign policy experts have already warned that U.S. forces could become entangled in complex governance issues and regional tensions if the transition is protracted or contested.
Trump’s remarks also drew internal political reactions. Supporters within the Republican Party defend the actions as necessary to counter narcoterrorism and secure regional stability, while opponents label the move a perilous overreach that could undermine constitutional norms and distract from pressing domestic priorities ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
Internationally, the announcement has reverberated through diplomatic circles and regional capitals, with global leaders and multilateral organisations calling for restraint, adherence to international law, and a peaceful resolution that respects Venezuela’s sovereignty. The evolution of this policy and its consequences for Latin America and broader U.S. foreign relations will be closely watched in the coming days and weeks.