US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that American forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, declaring that the United States would assume control of the country “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” 

Speaking at a press conference, Trump described Maduro as an “illegitimate dictator” and outlined plans for US oil companies to overhaul Venezuela’s “broken infrastructure,” promising that the move would make Venezuelans “rich, independent and safe” under what he called a new US–Venezuela partnership.

He said no US servicemen were killed in the operation, launched in the morning hours of Saturday, 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.

Asked if he has been in contact with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, Trump said he hasn't spoken to her. It would be "very tough" for Machado to be the leader of Venezuela, he added.

Though she is a "very nice woman", he said, "she doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country".

A CNN report said Machado has called for an opposition candidate to be installed as leader, while the county’s foreign minister insisted Maduro remained the country’s head. 

Venezuelans in the capital have voiced mixed reactions to the US’s operation, with some celebrating the “positive change” and others saying Maduro’s capture creates “an even worse conflict.”

A little earlier, Maduro was indicted in New York on drugs and weapons charges - the US attorney general says he'll "face the full wrath of American justice". Maduro has previously denied being the leader of drug cartel.

Venezuela has declared a national emergency, denouncing "extremely serious military aggression".