US President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States' role in Venezuela could endure for several years following a recent military operation that resulted in the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. During an interview with the New York Times, Trump mentioned that the timeline for US oversight would remain unclear, stating, only time will tell how long the administration plans to govern the oil-rich nation.
Despite questions surrounding the future of Venezuela's governance, Trump refrained from providing a timeline for potential elections to replace the interim government led by Maduro loyalist Delcy Rodríguez. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado responded positively to Maduro's ouster, describing it as the beginning of an irreversible process that would eventually lead Venezuela towards freedom.
Journalists from the New York Times pressed Trump on his administration's future plans for Venezuela, with earlier statements from the White House confirming indefinite control over sanctioned Venezuelan oil sales. Trump's remarks highlighted that the administration intends to take oil from Venezuela, aiming to stabilize the country's ailing oil industry, which has suffered from years of mismanagement and sanctions.
Trump remarked that Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintains frequent communication with Rodríguez, who has emerged as Venezuela's interim leader according to the Supreme Court, which is perceived to be loyal to Maduro. The president has also stated that the sale proceeds from Venezuelan oil would be utilized to purchase US-made goods, reinforcing the economic ties between the two nations.
Observing the shift in Venezuela's political landscape, Machado asserted that the current interim government must eventually dissolve itself, insisting on respect for Edmundo González as the rightful president-elect. She has been vocal about the need to release political prisoners as an essential prerequisite for future governance.
Trump's future engagement with Venezuelan oil revenues and the country's political trajectory promises to be a focal point in US foreign policy, with upcoming discussions planned with major oil companies to determine next steps.
