By Suleman Chitera
The United States has announced what it describes as a dramatic escalation in its long-running standoff with Venezuela, with President Donald Trump declaring that Washington will assume temporary control of the South American nation until “order and stability are fully restored.”
Trump made the remarks following claims that U.S. authorities have arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and transferred him to the United States to face criminal charges. According to the U.S. administration, the charges relate to alleged conspiracy against the United States through networks accused of trafficking illicit drugs from Venezuela into the United States.
In a statement issued by the White House, Trump accused Maduro of using state structures to protect and facilitate drug trafficking operations, describing the alleged activities as a direct threat to U.S. national security. “This action is about restoring democracy, law, and economic stability for the Venezuelan people,” Trump said.
The U.S. president further claimed that during violent clashes in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, Maduro and his wife attempted to flee the country but were prevented from doing so by U.S. forces already deployed and on high alert. Details of how U.S. troops operated within Venezuelan territory were not immediately disclosed.
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the international community, with analysts warning that any foreign control over Venezuela—even if described as temporary—could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability in Latin America. Several governments have called for independent verification of the claims and urged respect for international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.
Within Venezuela, the situation remains tense. Supporters of the government have dismissed the U.S. statements as propaganda, while opposition figures argue that the country has reached a breaking point after years of economic collapse, political repression, and international isolation.
As of publication, no independent confirmation has been provided regarding Maduro’s alleged arrest and transfer to the United States. The developments, if verified, would mark one of the most significant confrontations between Washington and Caracas in modern history, raising serious questions about the future governance of Venezuela and the balance of power in the region.
