Trump Declares U.S. Control in Venezuela

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will take charge in Venezuela until a safe and orderly transition of power can occur. He described this role as temporary but indicated it’s essential to avert any premature interventions that might complicate the situation.

Trump emphasized the aim of establishing peace, freedom, and justice for the Venezuelan people, including those who have sought asylum in the U.S. and wish to return. “We will continue to run our country until we can have a safe, proper and wise transition of power,” he asserted.

He cautioned that the U.S. is prepared for further escalation if required. “We are ready for a second and even larger attack,” he stated, reaffirming that American forces would remain in place during this transitional phase. “We’re here now, and we’re going to stay there until there’s a proper transition,” Trump added.

This declaration came shortly after a U.S. special forces operation in Caracas, which resulted in the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who are now facing drug trafficking charges in New York.

Trump explained that the U.S. intends to directly manage Venezuela’s affairs in partnership with allies while working to revive the country’s oil industry. “We’re going to rebuild our oil infrastructure, and it’s going to cost billions of dollars,” he noted, adding that those costs would be borne by oil companies. He also mentioned the need to protect Venezuelans, especially those displaced by the current regime.

When pressed on whether U.S. troops would be stationed permanently in Venezuela, Trump didn’t dismiss the idea of ongoing military presence. “They say they always have boots on the ground, so we’re not afraid to put boots on the ground if necessary,” he remarked, emphasizing that U.S. forces were already engaged at high levels in the operation.

He reiterated the commitment to maintain control over Venezuela, stating, “We’re there now. We’re ready to go again if necessary. We’re going to run the country… very wisely and very fairly.” Acknowledging previous delays in action, Trump asserted that the U.S. was prepared to launch further operations if needed, while also criticizing the former government for mismanagement of assets built by the U.S.

During the press conference, when asked about supporting opposition leader Maria Colina Machado or working with Venezuela’s new vice president, Trump showed signs of flexibility. He recognized the new vice president was appointed by Maduro but mentioned ongoing negotiations with Machado. “She’s basically willing to do what we think we need to do to make Venezuela great,” Trump said, indicating that his administration is actively involved in these discussions.

Past U.S. Interventions in Latin America

The U.S. history of managing political transitions abroad has seen considerable challenges and setbacks, raising questions about the viability of Trump’s strategy for Venezuela. The last military intervention to remove a Latin American leader occurred in Panama in 1989, when U.S. forces ousted dictator Manuel Noriega. While the operation was initially successful, stabilizing governance proved to be a long-lasting issue.

Despite the swift removal of Noriega, civilian casualties were significant, and entire neighborhoods suffered damage, leading to long-term resentment and instability in the region.

In Venezuela, the current economic crisis has prompted many, including U.S. officials and citizens, to believe that almost any leadership would be preferable to Maduro’s regime. Footage shared online shows Venezuelans both at home and in exile celebrating amidst the growing U.S. pressure for change.

Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia and his running mate Machado have emerged as contenders for leadership, declaring victory in the recent elections, although the government maintained that Maduro had won.

There’s been significant contention regarding the legitimacy of the official election results, which many observers dismissed as fraudulent. Following pressure from the Maduro administration, González has fled Venezuela, while Machado’s current situation remains uncertain. She continues to call for both domestic and international efforts to support a political shift.

After her detention, Machado urged the military to acknowledge González as the “legitimate president” and expressed the opposition’s readiness to reclaim power. In her staunch declaration, she proclaimed that “the time for freedom has come,” insisting that Maduro should face international justice and calling for unity among Venezuelans for what she termed the last phase of democratic transition.

When asked about the U.S. record on dethroning dictators, Trump responded, “That’s when we had different presidents… That doesn’t concern me. We’ve had a perfect winning record.” He cited various military operations, claiming that under his leadership, the U.S. has consistently succeeded. “Victory, you haven’t lost yet,” he concluded.