Trump: We are going to run Venezuela until we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition
Published Sat, Jan 3 2026
11:59 AM EST
Jessica Dickler@jdicklerWATCH LIVEKey Points
- The U.S. conducted a âstunningâ attack on Venezuela, President Donald Trump said during a press conference Saturday.
- "We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," Trump said in a press conference Saturday morning.
- Venezuelaâs President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted on "narco-terrorism" charges.
Smoke rises from Port of La Guaira after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on January 03, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela.
Jesus Vargas | Getty Images
President Donald Trump said the U.S. is going to temporarily take over governing Venezuela after launching a large-scale surprise attack on the country overnight.
"We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," Trump said in a press conference Saturday morning from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
The Venezuela operation "was one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military," Trump said.
"Not a single American service member was killed, and not a single piece of American equipment was lost, many helicopters, many planes, many people involved in that fight," Trump also said.
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