President gave the answer when questioned by a journalist from “NBC News”; USA removed Maduro from power on Saturday (Jan 3)
The President of the United States, (Republican Party), said on Monday (January 5, 2026) to journalist Kristen Welker, from the broadcaster NBC Newsthat he is the one in charge of Venezuela. The statement was made 2 days after the US military operation that resulted in (PSUV, left) and his wife, .
“[O secretário de Estado, Marco] Rubio, [o secretário de Guerra, Pete] Hegseth, [o vice-chefe de gabinete, Stephen] Miller. Are these 3 people going to be responsible for Venezuela? Would you say they are the 3 most important people?”the journalist asked Trump, who confirmed it and also included the vice president (Republican Party). Welker then questioned who would be the most important person in charge of the country, if there was one. “Eu”replied the North American president.
Trump the possibility of holding elections in Venezuela in the next 30 days. He justified it by saying that Venezuela “will need to be fixed” before organizing a claim.
He signaled that a new military incursion into Venezuela remains a possibility if (MSV, left) fails to cooperate with US authorities or “don’t behave”. She as interim president of the South American country on Monday (5th January).
THE ATTACK
Trump announced on Saturday (January 3), on his profile on the Truth Social network, that the country carried out a military operation against Venezuela and captured Maduro e Cilia Flores.
General Dan Caine, chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, stated that the US president ordered the capture of Maduro on Friday night (2 January). The operation was carried out in the early hours of Saturday (January 3). also attacks on 4 targets in the country with 150 fighters and bombers, which took off from different points and neutralized Venezuelan air defense systems.
US military helicopters flew troops to Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, to capture Maduro. The mission lasted about two hours and 20 minutes.
There are questions regarding the fact that the US would carry out a military operation in another country without approval from the and (United Nations). Trump says this is unnecessary.
But there are also doubts about non-compliance with US laws. The operation should have been previously approved by the North American Congress. The Secretary of State, declared that it was not possible to notify congressmen in advance.
It is uncertain whether there were deaths or injuries in the action. Until the publication of this report, Venezuelan authorities had not released figures, but stated that civilians died during the operation.
A U.S. official said there were no U.S. military casualties. He did not talk about possible Venezuelan deaths.
COUNTRY COMMAND
In the early afternoon of Saturday (January 3), Trump told journalists that the United States would temporarily take over the administration of the country until a political transition was defined. It did not detail how this would be done, focusing on statements about the exploration and sale of Venezuelan oil.
According to the Venezuelan Constitution, power should be exercised by the vice president, Delcy Rodríguez. Trump said Rubio spoke with Rodríguez and that she expressed a willingness to cooperate with U.S.-led actions.
About opposition leader María Corina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, Trump that she would not have enough political support to govern Venezuela.
In a live speech late Saturday afternoon (January 3), Rodríguez Trump’s statements, classified the US action as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and stated that Maduro remains the country’s legitimate president.
The vice president also declared that Venezuela is open to a respectful relationship with the Trump government, as long as it is based on international law. “This is the only type of relationship possible. We will not be a colony of any other country”these.
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