US will "run" Venezuela until "safe" transition, President Donald Trump said as he hailed the operation in Caracas on Saturday in which President Nicolás Maduro was captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington.

The extraordinary surprise nighttime strike was announced by Trump on social media hours after the attack.

It was not immediately clear who was running the country, with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil claiming Maduro remains in charge, while his Vice President Delcy Rodriguez reportedly left the country for Russia.

Initial reports claim the US has struck multiple targets in Caracas and several cities across the South American country.

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