US President Donald Trump has indicated that his country's involvement in Venezuela might last for several years. In an interview with the New York Times, he expressed that 'only time will tell' how long the US would oversee the management of Venezuela following the recent seizure of leader Nicolás Maduro by US forces.
Furthermore, Trump refrained from revealing if or when elections would occur to replace the interim government led by Maduro loyalist Delcy Rodríguez. Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado claimed that Maduro's ouster has initiated an 'irreversible process' towards freedom for her country.
The White House announced plans for indefinite US control over sales of Venezuelan oil. Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized that this strategy would provide necessary leverage over the interim government in Caracas. Trump acknowledged the need for oil from Venezuela, asserting, 'We're going to be taking oil' as part of the reconstruction strategy for the nation.
In his dialogue with the press, Trump mentioned ongoing communication between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Rodríguez, noting that he aims to direct Venezuela's oil revenues towards purchasing US-made goods. However, he faced questions about why he recognized Rodríguez as the new leader, a matter on which he remained silent.
Many analysts had anticipated rapid developments following Maduro's ousting, yet Trump dismissed Machado's potential leadership capabilities, characterizing her as lacking respect and support. Despite Machado's previous efforts to unite opposition groups, her exclusion from the upcoming elections has raised concerns.
In sum, Trump's reshaped strategy in Venezuela highlights a focus on securing oil control and navigating political dynamics in an increasingly complex situation.
