U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he does not need to follow international law, emphasizing that his foreign policy decisions are guided solely by his own moral judgment. He made the remarks in an interview with The New York Times following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump said his actions would be controlled only by his personal ethics and that adherence to international law depends on his own definition.

According to the report, the United States launched a military attack on Venezuela early Saturday, with explosions reported in Caracas and several military bases. During the operation, U.S. forces captured and removed President Maduro from the country. Critics described the move as a clear violation of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state.

After the assault, Trump announced that the United States would manage Venezuela and exploit its vast oil resources. The White House, however, stated it would cooperate with interim President Delcy Rodríguez while maintaining influence over the country’s policymaking. Trump warned that a second round of military strikes could occur if U.S. directives were not followed.