US to be strongly involved in Venezuelan oil industry, says Trump after Maduro's capture

The United States will be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil industry following an operation that, according to US President Donald Trump, led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump made the remarks on Saturday, hours after multiple explosions were reported in Caracas amid what he described as “large-scale airstrikes” on the Venezuelan capital.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said American energy companies would play a major role in Venezuela’s oil sector. “We have the greatest oil companies in the world, the biggest and the best, and we’re going to be very much involved in it,” he said, suggesting a major shift in US engagement with the South American oil producer following the operation.

Backing Trump’s claims, US Vice President JD Vance said the administration had repeatedly warned Maduro and offered “multiple off ramps” but would not tolerate drug trafficking or what he described as “stolen oil.” “The drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States,” Vance



wrote on X, adding that Maduro now knew that Trump “means what he says.”

Responding to criticism over the legality of the operation, Vance said Maduro faced multiple indictments in the United States. “You don’t get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas,” he said.

Trump claimed that Maduro and Flores were captured by US forces during an early-morning raid at a military base where the Venezuelan leader was staying. According to sources familiar with the matter, US forces stormed the residence and dragged the couple from their bedroom before flying them out of the country.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States had “successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader” in coordination with US law enforcement agencies. He said Maduro was placed aboard the USS Iwo Jima and was being taken to New York, where he would face charges in Manhattan federal court, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons-related offences.