President Donald Trump has defended the U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, despite making comments that appeared to go beyond the administration’s original legal justification.
At a press conference, senior officials described the action as a law enforcement operation aimed at seizing two indicted individuals and bringing them to trial in the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and General Dan Caine stressed that Maduro was not a legitimate head of state but a criminal leader who lost democratic elections. They said law enforcement personnel were involved in placing him into legal custody.
However, President Trump went further. He said the United States would oversee Venezuela for a period to ensure a friendly government and recover U.S. property seized under previous Venezuelan administrations. He also said Washington would work to prevent former allies of Maduro from regaining power.
These remarks raised questions about whether the operation amounted to an act of war aimed at regime change rather than a limited law enforcement action. Critics argue that regime change would normally require approval from Congress.
Legal analysts say the comments are unlikely to affect the outcome in court. U.S. courts have repeatedly upheld the authority of presidents to seize individuals abroad, including foreign leaders, under existing precedents. A key example is the 1989 capture of former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, which courts later ruled was lawful.
Supporters of the operation argue that its immediate purpose was clear: to arrest Maduro and transfer him to the U.S. justice system to face charges in New York. They say any actions taken after his capture, including steps to stabilize Venezuela, are separate from the legality of the arrest itself.
The Trump administration is expected to argue that, in the absence of action by Congress, the president has authority under the U.S. Constitution to manage the aftermath of the operation to prevent instability. Courts have generally avoided intervening in such disputes.
While concerns remain about U.S. involvement in Venezuela’s political future, legal experts say those concerns are unlikely to lead to Maduro’s release. Under existing law, the administration is expected to prevail in keeping him and his wife in custody for trial.
