Trump says US will 'run' Venezuela until 'safe transition can take place'

By Jemma Crew, Emily McGarvey and Dulcie Lee, with Latin America editor Vanessa Buschschlüter, BBC, Jan 3: The US president says the US is going to "run" Venezuela "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition"

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

Just before he began speaking, Trump shared a photo he said was of Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima - the image shows him blindfolded and wearing ear defenders

America 'safer' and 'prouder' today - Trump

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.

Maduro and his wife 'gave up' before being taken into custody - Gen Caine

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.