According to U.S. officials and reporting by CNN, the operation involved coordinated airstrikes and Special Forces actions in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. Following the strikes, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were reportedly taken by U.S. forces and transported out of the country to face criminal charges in New York related to allegations of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.

President Trump stated that the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela and oversee the country’s governance while a transition is arranged, specifically citing Venezuela’s vast oil reserves as part of future plans. Trump emphasized that the action was aimed at stabilizing the region and combating drug trafficking, though critics have highlighted the potential motives involving control of oil resources.

The move has triggered widespread international reactions. Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has been named interim president by Caracas’ high court, even as she rejects the legitimacy of Maduro’s removal and demands proof of life. Many world leaders and international organizations, including the United Nations, have expressed concern over the legality and implications of U.S. military intervention.

Legal experts and foreign governments have raised questions about whether the operation violates international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty. Domestically within Venezuela, the situation remains volatile, with protests and uncertainty surrounding the future leadership of the oil-rich nation.