Machado has been effusive in her support for Trump and his highly controversial attacks on Venezuelan “drug-boats” and “narco-terrorists” that have killed at least 115 people. UN experts have dubbed the strikes “extrajudicial executions”.

President Trump said the United States would "run" Venezuela. But interim President Delcy Rodríguez denounced the U.S. operation and rejected the idea of U.S. control.

Venezuela defaulted in 2017 on government and PDVSA bonds, with accumulated interest swelling total liabilities far beyond original amounts.

The capture of Nicolás Maduro is a devastating blow to the alliance between Venezuela and Cuba. Many wonder if the island nation will be targeted next.

Operation Absolute Resolve, that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, echoes the 1990 U.S. invasion of Panama that brought down Manuel Noriega. But big differences abound.

But shortly after Trump's remarks, Rodriguez appeared on state television flanked by her brother, the head of the national assembly Jorge Rodriguez, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and said that Maduro remained Venezuela's only president.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been captured and flown out of the country following a largescale US strike on Caracas, leaving behind uncertainty for the country – and its massive oil reserves.

Nicolas Maduro and his wife are expected to face federal charges related to drug trafficking and working with gangs designated as terrorist organizations.