Click to view full size

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday declared that the United States will govern Venezuela until what he described as a “safe, proper and judicious transition” can occur, following a U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Speaking at a press conference, Trump said Maduro and Flores were taken aboard a U.S. military vessel and would be transferred to the United States to face criminal charges.

Trump also stated that Venezuela’s vice president, a Maduro loyalist who had previously been highly critical of the United States, has been sworn in as acting president. According to Trump, she is “essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again,” after discussions with U.S. officials.