US to run Venezuela, tap its oil reserves: Donald Trump
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Washington: US President Donald Trump said the United States will temporarily run Venezuela following the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, arguing that Washington must oversee a transition to prevent instability and rebuild the country’s oil infrastructure, IANS reported.
Asked directly who would govern Venezuela, Trump said, “We’re going to be running it with a group,” adding that US officials were already being designated to manage the process.
Trump said the United States would remain in charge “until such time as a safe, proper, and judicious transition can take place,” warning that a premature exit would risk repeating past failures. “If we just left, it has zero chance of ever coming back,” he told reporters at a Mar-a-Lago news conference.
Maduro arrived in New York City late Saturday to face US criminal charges after federal prosecutors unsealed a sweeping indictment accusing him of leading a long-running narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking conspiracy. He is charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, firearms offenses, and related crimes. The conduct is alleged to have begun around 1999 and continued through 2025.
Trump further placed particular emphasis on Venezuela’s oil sector, describing it as central to both recovery and stability.
“The oil business in Venezuela has been a bust,” Trump said, adding that major US oil companies would invest billions to repair infrastructure.
“We’re going to rebuild the oil infrastructure,” he said. “It’ll be paid for by the oil companies directly.”
Trump said the United States would maintain a continued presence tied to energy operations.
“We’re going to have a presence in Venezuela as it pertains to oil,” he said, adding that wealth generated would go to Venezuelans and reimburse the United States.
Asked whether US troops would be deployed, Trump said, “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,” noting that American personnel were already involved during the operation.
He said the administration would not allow figures linked to the Maduro regime to retain power.
“We know who they are. We’re on them,” Trump said.
Trump also addressed questions about working with Venezuela’s current vice president, saying Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with her.
“She’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary,” Trump said.