Trump Says US Involvement in Venezuela Could Last Years
US Engagement in Venezuela
US President Donald Trump stated that the country’s involvement in Venezuela could extend for many years. In an interview with the New York Times, he remarked that "only time will tell" how long his administration will manage this South American nation, following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during a raid last weekend.
Trump did not specify whether or when elections would occur in Venezuela to replace the interim government led by Maduro's loyalist, Delcy Rodríguez. Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado claimed that the removal of Maduro has initiated an "irreversible process" that will lead Venezuela toward "freedom".
During the interview, NYT journalists questioned Trump about his plans for Venezuela's future, just days after he stated that his administration would oversee this oil-rich country. Previously, the White House announced that the US would control sanctioned oil sales "indefinitely".
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright argued that the US needs control over Venezuela's oil sales to gain leverage over the interim government in Caracas. Trump also mentioned that his administration would "take oil" from Venezuela, which holds the largest proven reserves in the world, acknowledging that it would take "some time" to restart the country's oil industry.
Venezuela's oil production has drastically declined due to poor management by Maduro's government and its predecessors, along with years of US sanctions.
Trump stated that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is "in constant communication" with Rodríguez, who has been designated as the interim leader of Venezuela by the Supreme Court, which is dominated by Maduro loyalists. He added that Rodríguez "provides us with everything we consider necessary".
Trump's administration declared that the interim government agreed to use revenue from oil sales to purchase only US-made products. When asked why he recognized Rodríguez as the new leader of Venezuela, he did not provide a response.
