Politics Weekly America Trump captures Maduro and vows to ‘run’ Venezuela
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Jan 3, 2026 Tom Phillips, The Guardian's Latin America correspondent, shares his insights on the dramatic capture of Nicolás Maduro by US forces. He discusses Trump's bold claim of 'running' Venezuela, raising questions about the implications of military occupation. Tom recounts the chaotic scene in Caracas and examines the Venezuelan public's mixed reactions. They delve into the motives behind the operation, including oil interests and narco-terrorism justifications, and draw parallels to historical events like the 1989 Panama invasion.
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Morning Assault In Caracas
- Tom Phillips woke to calls at 4am and saw an aerial bombardment of Caracas unfold on Twitter.
- He and Venezuelan colleagues described helicopters, explosions and air-raid sirens during the pre-dawn assault.
Trump's 'We Are Going To Run' Moment
- Donald Trump publicly said "we are going to run the country" after Maduro's capture, creating huge uncertainty about occupation or interim rule.
- Tom Phillips stressed nobody yet knows whether US boots on the ground or a defecting general will govern next.
Troop Numbers Don't Match Occupation
- Analysts note 15,000 U.S. troops in the Caribbean is far too few to occupy Venezuela.
- That gap leaves major questions about the feasibility and scale of any prolonged U.S. presence.