Trump’s relationship with Venezuela has escalated dramatically: under his current presidency, the U.S. helped capture Nicolás Maduro in a major military operation, and Trump has openly said the United States will “run” Venezuela during a transition, drawing intense global criticism and debate.

What actually happened

  • In late 2025, tensions spiked as the U.S. labeled Venezuela’s “Cartel of the Suns” a terrorist organization and deployed naval forces in the Caribbean, carrying out lethal strikes on vessels off Venezuela’s coast under the banner of anti–drug trafficking.
  • Trump confirmed speaking directly with Maduro and reportedly gave him an ultimatum to leave power with safe passage for his family or face consequences, while publicly using increasingly aggressive rhetoric.
  • In early 2026, U.S. forces participated in an operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, which Trump showcased as a decisive victory and proof of U.S. power in the region.

“We’re going to run Venezuela”

  • After Maduro’s capture, Trump publicly stated that the United States would “run the country” until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be organized, signaling a kind of externally managed provisional rule rather than immediate Venezuelan self-government.
  • He downplayed the role of traditional Venezuelan opposition figures like María Corina Machado, suggesting she lacked the popularity to govern, which alarmed many who had seen the opposition as the natural replacement for Maduro.
  • Trump also tied the move to a revival of the Monroe Doctrine, declaring that American dominance in the Western Hemisphere “will never be questioned again,” framing Venezuela as a showcase of U.S. regional control.

Why Venezuela matters to Trump

  • Venezuela holds one of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, and Trump has explicitly talked about getting U.S. oil companies “back into” the country, making clear that energy and oil access are central to his approach.
  • The takeover weakens China’s growing energy partnership with Venezuela; analysts note that losing this oil foothold is a strategic setback for Beijing and could give Washington leverage in broader U.S.–China competition.
  • Trump has also used Venezuela as a warning shot to nearby governments (like Mexico and Colombia), demanding tougher action on drug trafficking and implying the U.S. is willing to use force to “fix” what Washington sees as regional security threats.

How the world and region are reacting

  • Human rights groups and many governments question the legality of the naval attacks and the broader intervention, warning of violations of international law and the dangerous precedent of a great power effectively taking over another state.
  • In Latin America, there is deep unease: some see an opportunity to end chavismo’s rule; others fear a return to old-style U.S. interventionism, with worries that Venezuela is less an endpoint and more a template for future U.S. operations.
  • Markets and foreign policy watchers are focused on how U.S. control over Venezuelan oil could reshape global energy prices and strategic alliances over the next few years.

What people are saying online

“It’s obvious that Trump is targeting Venezuela for one thing above all else” – a common theme in forum discussions is that oil, not democracy, is the real driver, with debates over whether this is honest realpolitik or outright exploitation.

  • Some commenters argue that removing Maduro was necessary after years of authoritarian rule and economic collapse, even if the methods are controversial.
  • Others warn that letting the U.S. “run” Venezuela sidelines Venezuelans themselves, risks a long-term occupation, and could trigger backlash, insurgency, or instability instead of a clean democratic transition.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.