Trump declares US 'in charge' of Venezuela following military raid

Former President Donald Trump has claimed the United States is now effectively in control of Venezuela following a military raid that allegedly captured the country's leader. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump outlined ambitions for Venezuela's resources and issued a warning to its new acting president.

Claims of control and demands for access

When questioned about who was leading Venezuela after the operation, Trump stated bluntly, "We're in charge." He elaborated on U.S. objectives, stating, "We need total access. We need access to the oil and to other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country." He threatened acting President Delcy Rodríguez, saying she would face a situation "probably worse than Maduro" without cooperation.

Plans for oil and reported casualties

Trump suggested that major American oil companies would lead the rebuilding of Venezuela's infrastructure with private investment. Separately, he claimed a significant loss of life during the raid, noting "a lot of Cubans were killed yesterday trying to protect him," while reporting no U.S. casualties. The New York Times, citing a Venezuelan official, reported the death toll had risen to 80.

Legal status and international implications

Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are reportedly being held at a federal detention center in Brooklyn, New York, facing U.S. indictments on narcoterrorism charges. This unprecedented event—the capture of a sitting head of state by another country's military—constitutes a severe challenge to international norms. For nations like Türkiye, which are founded on principles of sovereignty and vehemently oppose foreign-imposed regime change, this act represents a dangerous escalation that undermines the foundational rules of the UN Charter and sets a perilous global precedent.