ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned that Washington could launch another military strike on Venezuela, asserting that the United States is now “in charge” following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said further action was possible if remaining members of Venezuela’s administration failed to cooperate with US efforts to “fix” the country. His remarks raised the prospect of continued US military involvement in Latin America.

Trump also hinted that other countries in the region could face pressure or action, warning that Colombia and Mexico must curb the flow of illicit drugs into the United States. “Operation Colombia sounds good to me,” he said, while adding that Cuba, a close ally of Venezuela, appeared to be “ready to fall” without direct US intervention.

Insisting that Washington now holds authority in Venezuela, Trump said the US was dealing with what he described as newly installed leadership in Caracas. Asked who was in charge, he replied, “It means we’re in charge.”

When questioned about whether the operation was driven by oil interests or regime change, Trump said it was about “peace on earth,” adding that elections in Venezuela would be held later. “We’re going to run it, fix it, and have elections at the right time,” he said.

At the same time, Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez said she was prepared to engage with the Trump administration, calling for a balanced and respectful relationship. However, senior figures in Maduro’s camp rejected US claims, describing the detention of Maduro and his wife as a kidnapping and insisting Maduro remains the country’s legitimate president.

Maduro is currently being held in New York and is expected to appear in court on drug-related charges. His capture has triggered uncertainty in the oil-rich South American nation, where security forces have been placed on high alert.

32 Cubans killed in US raid in Venezuela

Venezuela’s defense minister said the US operation resulted in the deaths of soldiers and civilians, while Cuba said dozens of its nationals were killed during the raid.

“As a result of the criminal attack carried out by the government of the United States” against Venezuela, “32 Cubans lost their lives in combat operations,” the Cuban government said in a statement read on national television.

The deceased were members of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces or the Ministry of the Interior who were carrying out missions “at the request of counterpart agencies," Cuban officials said.

Havana has declared two days of national mourning beginning at dawn on Monday, and pledged to organize tributes.

“Honor and glory to the brave Cuban fighters who fell facing terrorists in imperial uniform,” President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on X.

Washington, meanwhile, says it is prepared to work with remaining officials in Caracas, particularly to secure access for US investment in Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

Trump’s comments and the ongoing US military presence in the region have intensified debate over Washington’s long-term strategy, even as administration officials insist the operation is aimed at combating drug trafficking rather than waging war on Venezuela.

In a stunning US military operation on Saturday, Maduro was extracted from Caracas along with his wife, Cilia Flores, to face charges of drug trafficking and terrorism in a New York court on Monday.

With input from wires.

Articles tagged with "Venezuela strikes"

Trump says second Venezuela strike possible, insists ‘US in charge’