U.S. Takes Charge of Venezuela
President Trump declared that the United States will take control of Venezuela until a suitable government transition can occur, following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Mr. Trump stated, “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition to new leadership.” He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the new leader prioritizes the welfare of the Venezuelan people.
The president expressed concerns about potential power vacuums resulting from Maduro’s removal, which could lead to instability similar to past situations. He stressed that any transition must be carefully managed.
While specifics on how the U.S. would manage Venezuela were not disclosed, Mr. Trump mentioned that military involvement could be part of the plan. “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,” he asserted.
Related: Rubio comments on congressional notification after Maduro’s capture
The president also revealed that American oil companies are ready to invest significantly in Venezuela’s infrastructure. He stated, “We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies… go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure…” This investment aims to benefit both Venezuela and American interests.
Despite holding vast oil reserves estimated at 303 billion barrels—more than Saudi Arabia—Venezuela’s production has suffered due to mismanagement and sanctions.
Mr. Trump’s comments followed an early Saturday announcement regarding U.S. strikes in Venezuela and Maduro’s capture. On social media, he shared an image showing Maduro in custody aboard a U.S. assault ship.
The captured leaders are expected to face charges related to drug trafficking and firearms offenses in New York City.
Related: Trump indicates readiness for further actions against Venezuela
The operation was conducted without prior congressional approval, leading some lawmakers to voice their concerns about this approach.
The president confirmed that no American personnel were harmed during this operation and highlighted its success under challenging conditions.
