US President Donald Trump said the leader of the Venezuelan opposition doesn't have the "respect" of the country to govern following the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Axar.az informs, citing ABC news, the U.S. led a series of strikes in the South American country early Saturday, eventually capturing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and taking them to the U.S. to face narco-terrorism charges.

Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado celebrated the operation and capture in a statement, calling it the "hour of freedom."

"As of today, Nicolás Maduro faces international justice for the atrocious crimes committed against the Venezuelan people and against citizens of many other nations. In light of his refusal to accept a negotiated solution, the Government of the United States has fulfilled its promise to uphold the rule of law," Machado said.

Trump, who said he has not been in contact with Machado, said during a press conference on Saturday that he doesn't believe she can assume the leadership role in Venezuela.

"I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country. She's a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect," Trump said.

Trump also announced the U.S. will "run the country" as it transitions into new leadership.

"We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," Trump said. "And it has to be judicious, because that's what we're all about. We want peace, liberty and justice for the great people of Venezuela."