if Maduro is not the legitimate President

Then why are we taking power? Why not just hand over the reins to whomever we claim is the legitimate President?

@joe pockets

Invasion of Venezuela for the sake of regime change to seize oil is illegal under international law.  No way Trump administration can claim US self defense or United nations approval as justification.  Venezuelans and drug traffickers don't threaten US sovereignty.  Trump crime of aggression is the same crime Putin has committed by invading Ukraine.  Risk is the world becoming more dangerous if might makes right.  Other countries could be embolden to carry out special military operations violating international law.

Ironic that Trump claims to run Venezuela until after proper transition of power.   Venezuela constitution requires vice president to become president.  But Rodriguez rejects US colonization.  Unless there is a new election, Maduro loyalists could stay in power for years.  Easier for existing government to take over than to install alleged winner of previous election.  There is a long history of US intervention in other countries not going well.  Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.