Hegseth says Trump ‘sets the terms’ for the future of Venezuela

Published January 3, 2026 8:16pm ET



War Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed on Saturday night that President Donald Trump will determine the future for Venezuela after he authorized strikes on the South American country and captured its now-former president, Nicolas Maduro.

Hegseth was asked by CBS News’s Tony Dokoupil to elaborate on Trump’s statement after the strikes that the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela as it transitions to new leadership. While not disclosing what such intervention would look like, Hegseth did suggest the U.S. will have a heavy hand in the process.

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