Donald Trump said Washington would “run the country” until safe handover in Venezuela

After U.S. forces captured Nicolas Maduro and his wife and brought them to New York on drug charges, President Donald Trump said Washington would assist in governing Venezuela until a secure, orderly handover could take place. The State Department now says it welcomes direct discussions that have started in Caracas between the interim government and a delegation from the country’s 2015 National Assembly, led by Dinorah Figuera. The department called the talks a unique chance to address needs from recent earthquakes and to advance political freedoms and stability. Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president days after Maduro’s removal. The assembly, previously tied to Juan Guaido, is recognized by Washington as Venezuela’s last democratic legislature.