Newscast Trump strikes Venezuela, captures the President, and says the US will take over
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Jan 3, 2026 
Lyse Doucet, BBC's Chief International Correspondent, shares her insights on the US military action in Venezuela and the dramatic capture of President Nicolás Maduro. She discusses Trump's declaration to 'run' the country and implications for international law. The conversation delves into the historical context of US interventions, Maduro's controversial past, and the potential risks this sets for global norms. Doucet emphasizes the unpredictability of Trump's decisions and the challenges of establishing a stable governance in Venezuela amid international scrutiny.
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Surprise Night Operation And Extraction
- The US executed a night-time operation of strikes and a Delta Force extraction to capture Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
- Lyse Doucet says the operation included diversionary strikes on bases and months of rehearsal with mock-ups of Maduro's location.
Trump Says US Will Run Venezuela
- President Trump publicly announced the US will "run Venezuela" until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" can occur.
- The presenters flag this as a striking return to direct US governance of another country.
US Frames Action As Counter-Narcotics
- The US framed the strikes as counter-narcotics and national-security actions, not classic regime change.
- Lyse Doucet notes Maduro was indicted in the US and accused of stealing the 2024 election, complicating international responses.