PresidentDonald Trumpon Jan. 3 released the first photo ofVenezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima after his capture in an overnight U.S. military operation.
The photo,postedto Trump's social media network Truth Social, shows Maduro in a gray sweatsuit, holding a water bottle and wearing what appeared to be sound-suppressing earmuffs and a dark covering over his eyes.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were both captured in the operation that also included strikes on targets in Venezuela, he said. Both are named in a federal indictment accusing them of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and two illegal weapons counts. They will be taken to New York to face the charges, Trump said.
In anews conference, Trump said the United States will "run the country" until a "proper" transition of leadership can take place, without further detailing what U.S. involvement would look like.
Maduro was pictured on the USS Iwo Jima, a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship, where he was being held with his wife, Trump said. They were removed from Venezuela by helicopter, he said on Fox News.
"They're on a ship, but they'll be heading into New York," he said in a morning appearance on the network.
US bombs targets in Venezuela and captures Nicolás Maduro, Trump says
Explosions rocked Venezuela's capital of Caracas early on Jan. 3 and other targets around the country. Videos circulating on social media showed helicopters flying over Caracas and firing at targets.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Picture of Nicolás Maduro in US custody posted by President Trump
