Trump: We are going to run Venezuela until we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Sat Jan 3, 2026, 01:10 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: CNBC

Published Sat, Jan 3 2026 11:59 AM EST Updated 11 Min Ago


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.

U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on drug-trafficking charges.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, said the mission involved “more than 150 aircraft launching across the western hemisphere in political coordination, all coming together in time and place to layer effects for a single purpose, to get an interdiction force into downtown Caracas, while maintaining the element of tactical surprise.”

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/03/trump-venezuela.html

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25th Amendment.

Article updated.

Original article -

Published Sat, Jan 3 2026 11:59 AM EST Updated 22 Min Ago


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.

U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on drug-trafficking charges. Trump said the U.S. would be in charge until there is a safe transition of leadership.


This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.

[Klarkashton]

1. "judicious very judicious it's going to be the most

Judicious thing that's ever been seen in history"

[Hugin]

5. "Oil is kind of a juice, right?"

“So, judicious. A word I just invented by the way. Judicious.” “Many Venezuelans have come to me with tears in their eyes saying please sir make us judicious.”

[LiberalArkie]

22. Is their vault still secure? Thinking of the raiding done in Baghdad.

[Ocelot II]

2. Mission Accomplished! Too bad he can't squeeze his fat orange ass into a flight suit

and land on the deck of a aircraft carrier to make the announcement.



Mark my words, it's gonna be déjà-vu all over again.

[2naSalit]

8. He'd...

Look like a tick about to burst if he could stuff his mass into one! And then he wouldn't be able to walk at all.

[OMGWTF]

21. Nixon, Reagan, GHWB, and GWB should have all gone to prison for their crimes.

That they didn't, gave T💩p the go-ahead to do whateverthefuckhewants. Remember folks, IOKIYAR!

[Generic Other]

40. You are triggering very intense feelings with that pic

Old DUer PTSD.

[Escurumbele]

44. Its going to be worst for the Venezuelan people.

trump is set to pilferage that country of its oil, precious stones, gold, silver, iron, etc.

These are points that bother me:

1. How easy it was to invade that country. No casualties from either side, even though Venezuela does have a big army, and they knew the USA was coming, zero retaliation.
2. trump during his speech today did not mention Edmundo Gonzalez and Maria Corina Machado (recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize), Gonzalez duly elected by the Venezuelan people by a huge margin. Why is he not mentioning them?
3. He also aid that he and Rubio will be the rulers of Venezuela. One has to give credit to trump, he would be the only man in modern history to be president of two countries at once. We all know he fails hugely as president of the USA, and like in the USA, he does not want to govern Venezuela, he just wants his hands on the riches of the country.
4. I venture to bet that Maduro will not serve time, it will be a big show in New York. I could be wrong, I hope I am wrong.
5. Sources tell me that people like Vladimir Padrino-Lopez who commands the army in Venezuela will continue to do so. Padrino-Lopez is a butcher, he has been responsible for torture, and countless deaths of innocent people, young and older that includes teens, women, he does not discriminate when feeling like enjoying a little torture.
6. trump said that he, and Marco Rubio, will rule Venezuela until they can assure a peaceful transition, and if I am not wrong, they intend to find the right person to run the country, and I have to assume he will be doing like Putin has done, to bring a puppet who can obey and execute orders.
7. Russia, China, Hezbolah, Iran, and others will remain in Venezuela and continue to pilfer as they have been doing for many years.
8. It is curious that in a military fort (Fort Tiuna), where Russians built some buildings, although the fort was bombed, none of the Russian assets were touched. I guess trump didn't want to upset Vladi?

Anyway, I really hope that I am wrong in many of those points, that Venezuelans are able to reconstruct their country, but when most of the thugs who destroyed and pilfered for many years stay in power, how is that possible?

[Blues Heron]

51. There were at least 40 people killed by Trump, adding to his growing pile of victims.

He likes killing, similar to the Gilgo beach murderer, but with a get out of jail free card. He’s pretty sick.

[riversedge]

3. 'According to Trump, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodrguez was sworn in as president and had been in contact with Se

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/03/trump-venezuela.html


................Trump said the U.S. would be in charge of Venezuela until there is a safe transition of leadership. He also said the U.S. would be running the country “with a group” and “designating various people,” without providing details.

According to Trump, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as president and had been in contact with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“She’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again,” Trump said.

This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.

[angrychair]

9. The vice president

Of the dictator we just arrested? That is the person he thinks should be in charge?

Yea, that makes sense.

[sop]

52. This was obviously a palace coup. Maduro was sold out by the people closest to him.

And it doesn't look like he put up much if any resistance. He went quietly.

[patphil]

4. Translation: Until we can solidify control of the oil fields, and install a puppet who will protect our interests there

As soon as that's done, the new boss of Venezuela will start taking bribes from the drug cartels, as they continue with their worldwide marketing of cocaine and fentaynl. It'll be business as usual, with the only real difference being that US companies get a lot more money from their (now our) oil.

The people of Venezuela won't see any more freedom, or financial gain, than they have now.

[Callie1979]

31. Venezuela never made fentanyl. Thats another trump lie. nt

[patphil]

32. Agreed. Venezuela traffics heavily in cocaine, which is mostly produced in Colombia.

Also some Meth, and Marijuana.
Apparently they're mostly a distribution hub.

[patphil]

60. Agreed, and they don't make cocaine either.

They market drugs. Cocaine mostly to the US, fentanyl to Europe.

[31st Street Bridge]

53. A new Shah of Iran?

Yeah, that'll work out. Lol.

[B.See]

55. THIS

[Bayard]

6. This how he plans to expand his empire

Next up: Canada or Mexico?

[C Moon]

13. Greenland

[ananda]

61. I think he said Cuba. He makes noises about Greenland...

occasionally, but when Europe resists, he backs off.

[JustKay]

7. Because what he's doing in the US is so "safe, proper and judicious?"

Ugh. When does the revolution start, and how do I sign up?

[ck4829]

10. War on Epstein News

[Munu]

11. So the USA acquires a colonial dependency?

Back when it was Noriega of Panama who was deposed, our government didn't go that far.
I expect being a colonial dependency will not sit well with Venezuelans, even those who hated and feared Maduro.

[C Moon]

12. He left the "i" out of run.

[Wicked Blue]

14. Until EXXON and the other oil conglomerates can take over the country

and extract all the fossil fuel out of it.

[sakabatou]

15. This is some Iraq War 2 BS, isn't it?

[jmowreader]

33. Worse

Dubya never tried installing a puppet government in Iraq.

[bluestarone]

16. Well now, this is aweful familiar to

Russia taking parts of Ukraine. HMM?

[Crowman2009]

17. Yeah, because this worked so well in Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, South Vietnam, El Salvador, etc.

[J_William_Ryan]

18. "The Venezuela operation"

The essence of fascism.

Start an illegal war, establish a lawless occupation, falsely claim it was ‘justified.’

[Diraven]

28. There is no occupation though

Trump just proclaimed that he owns Venezuela now, and somehow no one is questioning that. This isn't chess where you automatically win by taking your opponent's king.

[31st Street Bridge]

54. Nobody will stop the fascist pedophile emperor

Our entrenched minority rule had killed the USA.

[BidenRocks]

19. Any other country being invaded

would have been attempting to take down the helicopters.
Even if it was standing out with a pistol.
The Un United States met no resistance.
Will we be subjected to stories of chumps heroism in signing off on yet another illegal action?

Sorry to say I was hoping the helos would be shot down.
My country right or wrong my ass!

[Diraven]

29. What I suspect

I would not be surprised if the new Venezuelan VP is the person collecting the $50 million bounty.

[IronLionZion]

35. Trump has claimed the US coordinated with her to capture Maduro

I wouldn't want to be her if there are Maduro supporters nearby. For safety reasons.

[Polybius]

56. It's being reported that they did try to take them down

One aircraft was even hit, but managed to fly back. All threats were neutralized, and the aircraft proceeded to move in.

[Igel]

20. I don't know if the people actually running the administration, military,

etc., are going to just say, "Yessir!"

And without an occupation force, kicking them out of their positions and putting in others isn't likely to be accepted mutely.

[Farmer-Rick]

23. Soooo, how many Venezuelans died?

I noticed pedo Trump mentioned our troops not being dead....if you believe him....and the pedo mentioned all his war machines were hunky-dory. But what about the people who live in Venezuela????

How many of them died????? He did bomb Chavez's tomb but he was already dead.

Where is pedo Trump's buddy Machado? Why isn't she taking over?? Did she die in the bombing?

Why did they take the wife? She wasn't a threat.

Has there been any proof of life or death?

[Kennah]

24. We were in Afghanistan for almost 20 years. Trump wants a longer record.

[orangecrush]

25. So what about Machado?

Not corrupt enough for him?

[Raven123]

26. Translation: we won't leave until a puppet regime is installed

[DallasNE]

27. Clear, Hold, Build II

How long before the roadside bombs start exploding? Been there, done that, and it sucks.

[Callie1979]

30. Truth is, we HAVE to. If we learned anything from Libya & Iraq.

We need to bring in the REAL elected officials, set them up in office with heavy security & then get the government running FOR the people for the first time in 20+ years. Co-opt the military & make sure they're paid & kept busy. Get services for the people going quickly. Food distribution to the people. Etc
There's SO MUCH to do now that the pottery has been broken.
But its what we MUST do unless we want to see VZ turn into a South American Somalia.

[Slider19]

34. Isnt that what we tried in Afghanistan?

I guess maybe the Taliban will take over Venezuela as well in 20 years from now

[BidenRocks]

42. Iran, Panama, Vietnam etc.

We never learn to butt out!

[Callie1979]

58. Not exactly. Afghanistan never had a functioning government.

and they were also overrun with religious zealots. Not an issue in VZ.
Regardless of the past, what's done is done. We HAVE to attempt to save VZ from the destruction of Chavez & Maduro because TRUMP broke it.

[tornado34jh]

36. Does anyone really think this was about Maduro? It's really about oil

Look at past history. The US has a history of putting in puppet regimes in many countries. For example, they put the Shah in power after they overthrew Mossadegh in Iran for oil. Let's face it, if it was about drugs in Venezuela, how come there is no evidence of it? Also, I highly doubt that South American cartels would be going through Venezuela. I would think they usually would go through Central America first. Something feels fishy.

[Callie1979]

59. MAGA says its about FINALLY getting the TRUTH about those voting machines!!!!!!!

Seriously, thats what they're saying

[turbinetree]

37. That's the ticket a fascist governing another country while attacking people in this country.............

and then nodding off when his hand picked general rants during a press conference, and to top it all off some little asshole speaker in the House is all in...........and so one has to ask how the Noble Peace Prize winner from Venezuela thinks of this ........would she accept being installed...........

[GreenWave]

38. Has the bastid fixed their economy yet or that wasn't the plan?

[Ohioboy]

39. This sounds like a total mess

Don't regime changes end up costing a lot of lives and treasure?

Or, this going to be different because there's a narcissistic 34- time felon, adjudicated rapist running the show?

[Evolve Dammit]

41. He didn't write that let alone think it.....n/t

[dedl67]

43. Running it? Let's see if anyone from the Trump administration even dares set foot there.

Nixon's 'goodwill' trip to Caracas in 1958 after the overthrow of a dictator didn't go too well.

[karin_sj]

45. Welp...

This should keep Epstein news on the back burner for a while. This is just unbelievable.

[mcar]

46. Irony just packed its bags

And caught ship to Antarctica.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

47. trump will NOT be running Venezuela- It was regime decapitation, not regime change.

All trump did was to "arrest" and remove Maduro. There was NO regime change. See https://democraticunderground.com/100220907148 and https://democraticunderground.com/100220907041 for Professor Vladeck's explanation. trump did not remove the current government and is NOT in control.

Trump claims the U.S. will run Venezuela. What's the plan?
The raid to nab Maduro was brilliantly executed. The aftermath could get extremely messy.
By @maxboot.bsky.social
archive.md/2026.01.03-2...

— Voice4Justice (@voices4justice.bsky.social) 2026-01-03T20:57:57.418Z

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/01/03/trump-maduro-raid-military-venezuela/

In Venezuela, by comparison, U.S. troops staged a quick in-and-out raid. It was regime decapitation, not regime change. At his Mar-a-Lago news conference, Trump said, “We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” What is he talking about? There are no indications that U.S. troops are preparing to occupy Venezuela. If such an operation were attempted, it could easily turn into a debacle, just like the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and it would violate Trump’s repeated pledges not to engage in “nation-building.”

Maduro was not a one-man band. He presided over a large apparatus of oppression, including, among others, the army, the national guard, the national police, the intelligence service, and a Colombian guerrilla group ELN. All of those forces remain intact after the U.S. raid. Also still in place are many of Maduro’s top lieutenants, including the ministers of defense and interior, who were implicated in his alleged crimes.

They give no sign of willingness to cede power to the democratic opposition led by María Corina Machado, who recently left the country to accept the Noble Peace Prize. Edmundo González, who was widely believed to have won the rigged 2024 presidential election, is also out of the country. On Saturday, Trump spoke dismissively about Machado and said Secretary of State Marco Rubio is talking with Maduro’s hand-picked vice president, Delcy Rodríguez.....

Like George W. Bush after the invasion of Iraq, Trump enjoyed his “Mission Accomplished” moment on Saturday. But if there is one thing we have learned over the past quarter-century, it is much easier to topple tyrants than to build stable and secure societies afterward. History’s ultimate verdict on Trump’s military operation will be based on the fate of post-Maduro Venezuela, and the U.S., despite what Trump said about running the country, has only limited leverage to determine its fate.

[duckworth969]

48. Malcolm Nance said there were probably insiders who helped turn Maduro over

The extraction was done in less than 30’.

Nance, “We’re good, but not that good”.

[BumRushDaShow]

50. Ironically, today (Jan. 3) is the 36th anniversary of the surrender of Manuel Noriega

Last edited Sat Jan 3, 2026, 08:23 PM - Edit history (1)

Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega surrenders to U.S.

On January 3, 1990, Panama’s General Manuel Antonio Noriega, after holing up for 10 days at the Vatican embassy in Panama City, surrenders to U.S. military troops to face charges of drug trafficking. Noriega was flown to Miami the following day and crowds of citizens on the streets of Panama City rejoiced. On July 10, 1992, the former dictator was convicted of drug trafficking, money laundering and racketeering and sentenced to 40 years in prison.

(snip)

[Aussie105]

49. Slow learners?

Past US governments have gone for regime change in foreign countries and didn't get much of a positive result.

Often walking out when the job of 'sorting them out' became impossible.

Obviously missing something in the process. Each and every time.

Slow learners!

But never fear, Trump is a bigly brained genius and this time it will go well. /sarcasm

[rampartd]

57. they are never going to agree that time has come

this turns into an insurgency that lasts for years and is left for the next dem to fix, and to be blamed.

[Aussie105]

62. American boots on the ground?

All in the name of 'restoring' democracy, peace and for the wellbeing of the people of course! /sarcasm

How many cemeteries of American soldiers are there around the world now?

"There are 26 permanent American military cemeteries and 30 federal memorials maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) located in 17 foreign countries around the world."

Don't really want one in Venezuela as well, really.

Trump will handball the running of Venezuela to some underlings, who will just make things worse through stuffing things up further.

Anyone remember what happened when the Shah of Persia was deposed in 1979, and what happened since?
And who runs Iran now?

[Norrrm]

63. Who is qualified to run Venezuela for Trump? Super Jared

[LudwigPastorius]

64. ...a safe, proper and judicious transition of their oil to our petroleum companies.