Trump says US will oversee Venezuela during transition period

US President Donald Trump has said that the United States will assume control over Venezuela during what he described as an interim period, until a transition of power takes place.

Speaking at a press conference in Florida, Trump said US officials would oversee governance in Venezuela to ensure what he called a safe and orderly transition. He did not provide a timeline or detailed framework for how this process would unfold.

Trump claimed that officials from his administration would be involved in managing affairs during this period. He also said an American presence was already established in the country, though this could not be independently verified.

The statement followed reports of coordinated strikes carried out in the early hours of Saturday, which targeted civilian and military locations in Caracas and other regions. Explosions and aircraft activity were reported by residents and local media.

Trump also claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been taken out of the country after the attacks. Venezuelan authorities have strongly rejected these claims and described the military action as aggression against national sovereignty.

Caracas has accused Washington of seeking control over Venezuela’s natural resources, an allegation denied by US officials. Maduro has dismissed the accusations levelled against his government, calling them a justification for external intervention.

The situation remains tense, with limited verified information and growing international concern over further escalation.