US President Donald Trump•©️AFP
Washington, 3 January 2026.- After the capture and extirpation of Nicolás Maduro by US forces, President Donald Trump claimed that the United States will not leave any personality from the Chaviste regime to succeed him. Washington intends to temporarily lead Venezuela, remain on the ground until a political transition deemed "safe and adequate", and says it is ready to launch a second, larger military attack if necessary. In this context of sharp escalation, the United States has also banned United States airlines from flying over the Caribbean, citing risks associated with ongoing military operations.
US President Donald Trump tightened Washington's position on Venezuela's political future on Saturday, saying that the United States will not allow anyone in charge of Nicolás Maduro's regime to take over.
« We can't take the risk of letting someone continue on his path. », said the U.S. Head of State in an interview with Fox News, a few hours after the official announcement of Nicolás Maduro's capture and extirpation.
Donald Trump said the United States will be "very involved" in Venezuela's future, claiming to want to guarantee « freedom, peace and justice for the Venezuelan people ». At a press conference in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, he went further, stating that Washington "will lead" Venezuela until a political transition is in place. « safe, appropriate and sound ».
The US President also warned that the United States is ready to launch a second, larger military attack if the situation demands it. « All Maduros in this world must know that this can happen to them too »he launched, justifying the intervention by an increasing threat by Venezuela against the security of the United States, which he said was linked to arms, drug trafficking and cartels.
Following the American strikes, the US Civil Aviation Regulator (FAA) announced an immediate ban on U.S.-registered airlines operating in Caribbean airspace. The FAA refers to high security risks associated with ongoing military activity in the region.
These announcements mark a new phase of US intervention in Venezuela, combining military pressure, provisional political control and regional security restrictions, pending a transition that Washington now intends to closely supervise.
W.A.
