The sun rose over the Venezuelan capital of Caracas on Saturday (January 3) after the U.S. struck the country overnight and captured its long-serving President Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump said earlier that day.

It follows months of Trump pressuring Maduro over accusations of drug-running and illegitimacy in power.

The U.S. had accused Maduro of running a "narco-state" and rigging last year's election, which the opposition said it won overwhelmingly. 

The Venezuelan leader, who succeeded Hugo Chavez to take power in 2013, has said Washington wants to take control of Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest in the world.

Production: David O'Sullivan/Reuters