Trump Claims Control Over Venezuela After Maduro’s Arrest

Trump says U. S. will oversee Venezuela until a peaceful transition, revealing details about Maduro’s capture

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Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been taken to New York after U. S. forces apprehended them during an unprecedented military operation.

Video released Saturday night by the White House showed Maduro being escorted into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he will remain prior to his first court appearance – possibly as soon as Monday.

The footage shows Maduro dressed in a black hoodie walking down a hallway with a blue carpet labeled “DEA NYD” while wishing one bystander a “Happy New Year.”

After his capture, President Donald Trump stated that the U. S. would take control of Venezuela for now and previously shared a picture of Maduro in handcuffs on his way to New York, where he’s facing several charges including Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy.

The president was questioned by reporters regarding who would be managing Venezuela during this transitional phase but provided minimal information on who would take charge.

More than 150 aircraft, including multiple fighter jets and helicopters, were deployed from 20 different locations after Trump issued orders Friday night involving service members from various branches of the military.

In contrast, Democrats have accused Trump of initiating this broad military action due to oil interests rather than drug issues.

With reporting from Rosali Hernandez in Caracas

Cilia Flores: Who is Venezuela’s influential first lady?

When U. S. officials revealed Nicolas Maduro’s arrest and indictment, his wife Cilia Flores’s name appeared prominently alongside his, surprising some outside Venezuela.

However, her influence has been well-known within the country for years.

Although officially referred to as first lady, Flores has played far more than just a ceremonial role. Journalists and analysts describe her as a key figure shaping Venezuela’s institutions-especially its courts-and aiding loyalists (many family members) throughout government positions.

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro gestures next to his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, during a rally marking the anniversary of the Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas on 10 December 2025 (AFP via Getty Images)

Over time, her family members amassed considerable wealth that observers claim cannot be explained solely by official salaries.

Cilia was born into a lower middle-class household and studied law before beginning her political rise in the 1990s. Her ascent coincided with Hugo Chávez’s emergence as president; she developed a close relationship with him while he was imprisoned following a failed coup attempt in 1992 and became pivotal within his political movement known as chavismo.

Her influence steadily grew as she advanced through Venezuela’s legislature until she became one of its most powerful figures. By the late 1990s she and Maduro were serving together as lawmakers while starting both their personal and political partnership that would significantly impact their nation’s future.

The couple married in 2013-the same year Maduro took over after Chávez died-and many within their ruling movement considered Flores vital for consolidating Maduro’s power because of her strong connections within state institutions along with her ability to mobilize loyal political allies.

Within chavismo circles, her reputation is formidable. Roberto Deniz-a Venezuelan investigative journalist-has closely scrutinized Flores’ family dynamics saying she inspires both loyalty and fear among peers.

“She is fundamental in corruption in Venezuela – absolutely fundamental – especially concerning power structure,” said Zair Mundaray-a former senior prosecutor under Chávez and Maduro-in comments reported by The New York Times.
“Many consider her sharper than Maduro himself.”

Non-U. S. airlines also cancel flights

A number of European and South American airlines also canceled flights due to recent events.

The restrictions will be lifted “when appropriate,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted on X platform earlier today.

An incident involving American military activity near Venezuela led almost resulted in an air collision between Jet Blue flight and an aerial refueling tanker last November according reports.<p severals airlines have waived change fees along with fare differences for travelers impacted if they decided postponed travel plans

This past Saturday saw U. S military operations successfully capturing long-standing president Nicolas maduro; trump reaffirmed intentions claiming control over venezuela temporarily deploying US forces if neededA Colombian soldier stands on top of a military vehicle at border crossing with Venezuela located Cucuta Colombia January third twenty twenty six (AFP via Getty Images)

Air Canada mentioned operations covering Caribbean region performed normally guided under Transport Canada supervision while monitoring ongoing situations adding statement “We will provide updates if necessary should circumstances shift

Commercial aviation traffic over Venezuelan airspace seems halted post-Saturday assault per records tracked via Flight Radar24.

U. S. lifts Caribbean airspace curbs after attack on V enezuela

United States officials informed airline operators Caribbean flight restrictions would conclude midnight ET permitting flight resumption promptly adjusting schedules accordingly according Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy statement earlier Saturday

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