Trump says US will run Venezuela following kidnap of Maduro by American forces

Mr Trump also said Mr Maduro and his wife were being taken to New York, where they will face indictment for drug-related offences.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that his country will run Venezuela until a “safe transition,” following the kidnap of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by American forces.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that US forces stormed various parts of Venezuela on Saturday in a shocking attack that has been condemned by many countries, including Cuba, Colombia and China.

Mr Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were abducted during the attacks.

Speaking in an interview with journalists hours after the attack, Mr Trump also said the US will be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil industry.

Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves and many observers have said the control of Venezuela’s oil is the main reason for the attacks.

Mr Trump also said Mr Maduro and his wife were being taken to New York, where they will face indictment for drug-related offences.

Earlier, in a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said Mr Maduro and his wife were “captured and flown out of the country” following the operation, which he said was conducted in conjunction with US law enforcement agencies.

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Mr Trump wrote.

Venezuela’s government, however, accused the United States of launching attacks on civilian and military installations in several states, describing the action as “military aggression” by Washington.

The Venezuelan authorities as saying the attacks targeted the capital, Caracas, as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, and announced a national emergency in response.