In a significant statement on the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump has asserted that the South American nation must first be restored to "law and order" and economic stability before any rush to hold elections. This comes in the wake of a major US military operation over the weekend that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Prioritising Stability Over Immediate Elections
Speaking exclusively to the New York Post, President Trump outlined his vision for Venezuela's future. He argued that the country's dire economic state, brought on by decades of socialist rule, makes stabilisation the immediate priority. "The country is ready to be — it’s literally become a third-world country ready to fail," Trump was quoted as saying. He emphasised that the focus should be on running the country correctly to harness its valuable resources, like oil, for the benefit of its people.
Trump dismissed the idea of hastily organised elections, stating that a properly managed nation would create a win-win situation for both Venezuela and the United States. "We should run the country with law and order. We should run the country where we can take advantage of the economics of what they have," he told the publication.
US Military Operation and Future Governance
The President's comments follow a decisive US military strike on Venezuela this past Saturday. The operation, which Trump described as a "complete and total victory," successfully captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Maduro is currently detained in a New York facility, awaiting a court appearance on drug charges.
However, the strike came at a cost. Citing a senior Venezuelan official, The New York Times reported that at least 40 people, including military personnel and civilians, were killed during the operation.
Addressing the nation from Palm Beach, Florida, Trump declared that the United States would oversee Venezuela's governance for the foreseeable future. "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition," he stated, framing the action as a mission to bring "outlaw dictator Nicolas Maduro to justice." He expressed a commitment to securing peace and liberty for the Venezuelan people.
Political Future and Leadership Questions
On the subject of Venezuela's political future, Trump suggested it would only be addressed after stabilisation. When asked about potential leaders, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, Trump was sceptical about her current popular support. "I don’t think she’s got the support of the people that she has to have," he remarked, though he added that he liked her personally and noted she could only win with his backing.
Trump's overarching message was clear: the immediate path for Venezuela involves US-supervised administration to prevent further collapse. "We can't take a chance if somebody else takes over Venezuela, doesn't have the good of the Venezuelan people in mind," he concluded, vowing to stay until a proper transition is assured.
