BBC
Live.
45,687 viewing
45687 viewing
Live page
Updated 2 minutes ago
Trump says US will 'run' Venezuela until 'safe transition can take place'
Summary
Donald Trump says the US launched strikes on Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro
President Trump says the US is going to "run" Venezuela "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition"
US oil companies will fix Venezuela's "broken infrastructure" and "start making money for the country", he adds
He says no US servicemen were killed in the operation and the US is "ready" to stage a second "and much larger" attack on the country if needed
Trump, a sharp critic of the US invasion of Iraq, now seems to be in the business of nation-building, our North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher writes
Trump earlier shared a photo he said was of Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima. The image shows him blindfolded and wearing ear defenders
Maduro has been indicted in New York on drugs and weapons charges – the US attorney general says he'll "face the full wrath of American justice". Maduro has previously denied being the leader of drug cartel
Venezuela has declared a national emergency, denouncing "extremely serious military aggression" – BBC Verify identifies locations hit in the attack
Live Reporting
Edited by Caitlin Wilson, Aoife Walsh and Emily McGarvey, with Latin America editor Vanessa Buschschlüter
Analysis
Dramatic reversal for a man who previously criticised US regime-change
published at 21:56
21:56
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent
Donald Trump
Image source,Reuters
During the press conference, a reporter asked Donald Trump about what could generously be described as America’s spotty record when it comes to triggering, and dealing with the consequences of, regime change in foreign nations.
Trump had a simple answer. His administration, he said, has a “perfect track record of winning”.
It may not be that simple, however.
The Venezuelan economy is in shambles. Its industrial infrastructure is outdated and decrepit. Its political stability has been undermined by decades of increasingly authoritarian rule.
Trump promised that the US is going to do what’s necessary to “make Venezuela great again”. He promised to “rebuild their whole infrastructure”. But that will take considerable American time and effort including, Trump said, the possibility of US military personnel on the ground in Venezuela.
It’s a dramatic reversal for a man who had criticised, in the past, US regime-change and nation-building efforts elsewhere in the world.
Just over two decades ago, American leaders made similar assurances about the ease - and potential benefits - of US regime change in Iraq. While every war and every nation is difference, less than a year into Trump’s second term he is taking on a monumental task - and staking his presidency on its success.
Share
New York mayor condemns Venezuela operation ahead of Maduro's arrival
published at 21:44
21:44
Mamdani in front of microphone
Image source,Getty Images
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has just posted on social media, saying he was briefed on the capture of Maduro and his wife, "as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City".
Maduro and his wife are reportedly being taken to Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal facility in Brooklyn, New York.
Mamdani was critical of the operation, writing: "Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law."
"This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home," he added.
Share
Trump shares photos appearing to show US officials watching Venezuela strikes
published at 21:28
21:28
US President Trump has just shared a series of images on Truth Social, which appear to show him and other officials watching last night's strikes on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Trump and Hegseth are seated at a table while Marco Rubio and other US officials stand with their arms folder. A screen is in the back but what it shows cannot be seen
Image source,US government
Trump sits at the centre of the table with his hands together. Rubio sits to his left
Image source,US government
Share
Trump says running Venezuela is putting 'America First'
published at 21:13
21:13
A short time ago in the news conference with US President Donald Trump, a reporter asked how running Venezuela would be putting "America first".
"I think it is," Trump replied. "We want to surround ourselves with good neighbours. We want to surround ourselves with stability."
"We have tremendous energy in that country, it's very important that we protect it," he said.
Share
What Trump said about Venezuela operation
published at 21:00
21:00
We've just been hearing from Donald Trump after the US launched strikes on Venezuela and captured its President, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. Here are the key lines:
US to 'run' Venezuela: Trump says the US is "going to run" Venezuela until "a safe, proper and judicious transition" of power. He was pressed on how exactly the US would do this, but did not provide detail
Oil infrastructure: He also says US companies will go into Venezuela to fix its oil infrastructure and "start making money for the country"
US prepared for second attack: He says the US is prepared to stage a second attack on Venezuela, but it is probably not necessary
A 'partnership': Trump then spoke of a "partnership" between the US and Venezuela, which he says will make Venezuelans "rich, independent and safe". He referred to Maduro as an "illegitimate dictator"
What's next?: Maduro and his wife are being taken to New York to face drug trafficking-related charges, the US president adds. Maduro has previously denied being the leader of a drug cartel
Share
Trump says Venezuela VP Delcy Rodríguez is 'willing to work with US'. Who is she?
published at 20:49
20:49
Vanessa Buschschlüter
Latin America and Caribbean editor, News Online
Delcy Rodríguez stands at a podium wearing pink, with her arms held wide
Image source,Getty Images
We just heard US President Donald Trump say a "group of people" will take over the running of Venezuela until such a time that a "safe, proper and judicious transition" can be ensured.
When pressed by reporters as to who inside Venezuela would form part of that group, Trump said his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, had been talking to Delcy Rodríguez.
Rodríguez has been Maduro's vice-president and was the first official to speak out publicly after the US strikes. She urged the US to provide a proof of life for Maduro and his wife.
The message was conveyed in audio format only and quickly led to speculation that Rodríguez may have left Venezuela. Sources told the Reuters news agency she was in Russia, which the Russian foreign minister denounced as a "fake" report.
Trump said that Rodríguez had expressed her willingness to do "whatever the US asks".
This may come as a surprise to some. Rodríguez and her brother Jorge, who leads the country's National Assembly, have long been among the most ardent defenders of the Maduro government.
While it is conceivable that Rodríguez has agreed to co-operate with the Trump administration to save her own skin – Trump said the US was prepared carry out a second wave of strikes if necessary – she will not be seen as someone willing to implement change.
Share
'If I lived in Havana and I was in government, I'd be concerned' - Rubio
published at 20:45
20:45
The press conference is now finished, but we're going to bring you a few more lines from it.
Fielding a question from a reporter who said he was from Cuba, Trump told him "Cuba is going to be something we'll end up talking about".
"We want to help the people in Cuba, we want to also help the people that were forced out of Cuba.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio interjected that "when the President speaks, you should take him seriously", adding many of the guards who helped protect Maduro were Cuban.
"If I lived in Havana and I was in the government I'd be concerned at least," Rubio added.
Share
Trump says it would be 'very tough' for Machado to be Venezuela's leader
published at 20:41
20:41
Trump is asked if he has been in contact with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
He says he hasn't spoken to her. It would be "very tough" for Machado to be the leader of Venezuela, he adds.
Though she is a "very nice woman", he says, "she doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country".
Share
Trump pressed on how US will run Venezuela
published at 20:31
20:31
00:46
Media caption,
Trump questioned on how US will run Venezuela
Trump is now taking questions. He's asked if the US running Venezuela means US troops will be on the ground.
He says "we're not afraid of boots on the ground" and the US military had "boots on the ground last night at a very high level".
"We're going to make sure that country is run properly," he adds.
Trump is also asked what exact mechanism he will be using to run the country. He says "we're designating people right now" and "we're going to let you know who those people are".
He is then asked who will run Venezuela. He gestures his hand towards himself and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as he says "it's largely going to be for a period time the people that are standing right behind me".
Share
Secretary of State Rubio says Maduro had 'multiple opportunities' to avoid this
published at 20:28
20:28
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Image source,Getty Images
We're now hearing from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He says Maduro is not the legitimate president. It is "not just us saying it", he says, adding the first Trump administration and the Biden administration also said the same.
Maduro is also not recognised by the EU and multiple countries around world, Rubio says.
He describes the Venezuelan president as a "fugitive of American justice", with a $50m reward.
"I guess we saved ourselves $50m," Rubio says, before Trump chimes in with: "We should make sure... don't let anybody claim it."
Rubio continues by saying that Maduro had "multiple opportunities" to avoid this, but chose instead to "act like a wild man" and "play around".
He describes Maduro as a man who decided to "invite Iran into his country" and "flood the US with gang members".
Maduro thought nothing would happen, Rubio says, before adding that Trump is "not a game player".
When Trump says he is going to address a problem, he actions it, Rubio adds.
Share
Maduro and his wife 'gave up' before being taken into custody - Gen Caine
published at 20:25
20:25
The US military maintained "totally the element of surprise", having dismantled and disabled Venezuelan air defence systems, says General Caine.
He says they arrived at Maduro's compound at 01:01 ET and isolated the area. On arrival there, the helicopters "came under fire", and they responded with "overwhelming force", he says.
One helicopter was hit but all US aircraft have been able to return home, he says.
Maduro and his wife then "gave up" and were taken into custody by the Department of Justice, says Caine, and at 03:29 ET they boarded the USS Iwo Jima.
Share
Months of intelligence work to uncover where Maduro lived, Gen Caine says
published at 20:22
20:22
Gen Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks at press conference
Image source,Reuters
General Dan Caine now takes the podium. He shares some details of the planning for the operation, dubbed "operation absolute resolve".
He calls it "discreet" and "precise", and says it required "every component" of the joint forces, including soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and others "working in unison" with intelligence agencies and law enforcement.
He adds the operation leveraged "unmatched" intelligence capabilities and "years of experience in hunting terrorists".
Gen Caine says the "extraction" was so precise it required more than 150 aircraft all coming together in the right place and time.
On the preparation work, he refers to "months" of intelligence work uncovering details about Maduro, including where he lived and what he ate.
Share
America 'safer' and 'prouder' today - Trump
published at 20:07
20:07
All political and military figures in Venezuela should understand that what happened to Maduro could happen to them, Trump says.
"Venezuelan people are free again," he adds. He also says America is a "safer" and "prouder nation" today.
He then hands over to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who begins by describing the operation this morning as "a massive joint military and law enforcement raid, flawlessly executed".
Maduro "had his chance, just like Iran had their chance", Hegseth says, but adds that he "effed around" and found out.
Share
US president describes achievements with typical bravado
published at 19:59
19:59
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent
Donald Trump speaking at press conference
Image source,Getty Images
Donald Trump is describing the successful military operation in Venezuela with typical bravado. It was a display of “overwhelming military power” and a “spectacular assault”.
He called it “one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history”.
Supporting those boasts is the fact that no American military personnel were killed and, by Trump’s account, no US military equipment was destroyed, while the objective – capturing Nicolas Maduro and his wife – was achieved.
Share
Analysis
It seems the US now owns Venezuela’s future – for better or worse
published at 19:56
19:56
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent
If there were any doubts about the breadth of American involvement in Venezuela after the US action to remove Nicolas Maduro from power, Donald Trump has laid them to rest.
“We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” he said.
It’s a bold statement to make, given the economic and political turmoil the South American nation now faces.
Trump, a sharp critic of the US invasion of Iraq, now seems to be in the business of nation-building – and dealing with the consequences of American military action.
In the words of one of the American architects of the Iraq War, Secretary of State Colin Powell, “If you break it, you own it.”
The US now owns Venezuela’s future – for better or worse.
Share
Trump attacks Maduro as 'illegitimate dictator'
published at 19:56
19:56
Trump claims the US "partnership" with Venezuela will make the people of Venezuela "rich, independent and safe", adding Venezuelans living in the US will be "extremely happy".
"They're not going to suffer any more," he tells the news conference.
Trump calls Maduro an "illegitimate dictator" who was responsible for the bringing of "colossal amounts of deadly illicit drugs" into the US, and accuses him of overseeing the Cartel de los Soles cartel.
Maduro has previously vehemently denied being a cartel leader.
Trump adds that Maduro and his wife are on a ship heading to New York, and a decision "will be made soon" between New York and Miami.
Share
US ready to stage second 'much larger' attack on Venezuela if needed, says Trump
published at 19:51
19:51
Trump now turns now to oil. He claims the oil business in Venezuela has been a "bust", and that large US companies are going to go into the country to fix the infrastructure and "start making money for the country".
He adds the US is "ready" to stage a second "and much larger" attack on the country if needed.
He says they were initially prepared to do a "second wave" and had assumed it would be necessary, that but given the success of last night's attack, it probably would now not be.
Share
Trump says Venezuelan forces were 'waiting for us'
published at 19:49
19:49
Donald Trump talks as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio look on
Image source,Reuters
Image caption,
Donald Trump continues to speak, flanked by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (R) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L)
Trump thanks the military for their "breathtaking speed, power, precision and competence".
He says these "highly trained warriors" were operating in collaboration with US law enforcement.
Venezuelan forces were "waiting for us", he says, with "many ships out".
Despite being in a "ready position", Trump says Venezuelan forces were "completely overwhelmed and very quickly incapacitated".
Not a single US serviceman was killed, and no equipment was lost, he adds.
Trump says the US has "knocked out 97% of drugs coming in by sea", and alleges that each boat carrying drugs kills 25,000 people on average.
He also alleges that most of the drugs come from Venezuela. The BBC has not verified these figures.
Share
US will run Venezuela until 'safe, proper and judicious transition' - Trump
published at 19:47
19:47
Breaking
00:32
Trump says the US is "going to run" Venezuela until "such a time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition" of power.
Share
Maduro and his wife 'now face American justice', says Trump
published at 19:46
19:46
Trump says the US force went against "a heavily fortified military fortress" in the heart of Caracas to bring Maduro "to justice".
He compares it to previous military operations against Iran - including against nuclear targets.
"No nation in the world could achieve what America achieved yesterday," he says.
All Venezuelan military capabilities were "rendered powerless" in the attack, he says.
He adds the lights of Caracas were turned off during the operation "due to a certain expertise" that America has.
Both Maduro and his wife "now face American justice" says Trump, adding they have been indicted in the southern district of New York for their "campaign of deadly narco-terrorism" against the US and its citizens.
Share
previous page
1
2
3
4
next page
No comments:
Post a Comment