In a significant development, former US President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will take a central role in determining Venezuela's political leadership and economic direction. This announcement came on Saturday, January 3, following a dramatic military operation that led to the capture of Venezuela's sitting President, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores.
US to Dictate Venezuela's Political and Economic Path
Speaking to Fox News shortly after the operation, Trump left no doubt about Washington's intended deep involvement in the crisis-hit South American nation. "We'll be involved in it very much as to who will govern the country," Trump stated. He emphasized that the US could not risk letting another entity simply take over the power vacuum. "We can't take a chance in letting somebody else run and just take over what he left, or left off," he added, underscoring a hands-on approach to the transition.
Trump also confirmed that the captured Venezuelan leader and his wife are currently being transported to the United States. Both Maduro and Flores have been indicted in New York and are facing criminal charges. The former President revealed they were taken to a ship after their capture and are now en route to New York to face justice.
Eye on Venezuela's Oil and a Show of Military Might
The US involvement, as outlined by Trump, extends beyond politics into the economic heart of Venezuela: its vast oil reserves. Trump pointed to American corporate prowess, indicating a significant role for US firms. "We have the greatest oil companies in the world, the biggest, the greatest, and we're going to be very much involved in it," he told the news channel, signaling a potential reshaping of Venezuela's crucial oil sector.
Trump, who was at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida during the operation, described monitoring the event in real-time. "I was able to watch it in real time, and I watched every aspect of it," he said, praising the communication and execution. He lavished praise on the US forces involved, highlighting their professionalism and the advanced equipment used in the overnight mission. "It was amazing to see the professionalism, the quality of leadership," he remarked, noting that the operation resulted in no US fatalities, only minor injuries.
A Contrast to Past Withdrawals and a Message to the World
In his comments, Trump drew a direct comparison to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan under President Joe Biden, framing the Venezuela operation as a restoration of American military credibility. "We’re not a laughingstock anymore," he asserted to Fox News, using the moment to critique the previous administration and portray a image of renewed US strength and capability on the global stage.
The capture of a sitting head of state by US forces and his subsequent extradition to face charges marks an unprecedented escalation in the long-standing political and economic conflict between Washington and Caracas. The world now watches as the United States, under Trump's stated vision, prepares to play a decisive part in charting Venezuela's uncertain future.
