Trump foresees the US managing Venezuela for at least a year, adding, ‘It could be much longer’

Trump’s Plans for Venezuela After Maduro’s Arrest

On Wednesday, President Trump stated that the U.S. plans to take an oversight role in Venezuela for at least a year, following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3 due to federal drug and weapons charges.

“We will rebuild in a very profitable way,” Trump mentioned during a lengthy interview. “We’re going to utilize oil, and we’ll receive oil. Our goal is to lower oil prices while providing Venezuela with the funds they urgently need.”

When asked how long the U.S. would maintain direct influence over Venezuela, Trump replied, “Time will tell.” However, as reporters suggested various timelines up to a year, he acknowledged, “I would say longer.”

Trump also did not specify when new elections would occur in Venezuela, having backed Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, instead of opposition leader Maria Colina Machado to lead the Caracas government.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized the importance of holding new elections as a crucial step in moving Venezuela away from decades of leftist rule that has drained the nation’s wealth.

While Trump didn’t confirm whether he had spoken with Rodríguez since Maduro’s arrest, he noted, “Marco talks to her all the time.” He added that they are maintaining ongoing communication with her and the government.

Earlier on Wednesday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright remarked that the U.S. would indefinitely oversee the sale of Venezuelan crude oil. He explained, “Instead of locking up the oil as we do now, we’re going to allow it to flow to our refineries and across the globe to enhance the oil supply, but those sales will be managed by the U.S. government.”

Just a day prior, Trump had promised that Venezuelan authorities would transfer 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the U.S. and instructed Wright to facilitate the sale.