US Involvement in Venezuela Could Last Years
US President Donald Trump said his country’s presence in Venezuela could continue for years. He told the New York Times that “only time will tell” how long his administration would oversee the country after US forces seized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a Saturday raid.
Trump did not clarify if or when elections would take place to replace the interim government, currently led by Maduro loyalist Delcy Rodríguez. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado described Maduro’s ouster as an “irreversible process” toward a free Venezuela.
Control Over Oil Sales
The White House said the US would control Venezuela’s oil sales “indefinitely.” Energy Secretary Chris Wright explained that this control gives the US leverage over the interim government in Caracas.
Trump said the US would “take oil” from Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven reserves. He acknowledged it would take time to restore the country’s oil industry, which has suffered from mismanagement by the Maduro government, prior administrations, and years of US sanctions.
Engagement With Interim Government
Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio stays “in constant communication” with Rodríguez. He added that Rodríguez is “giving us everything that we feel is necessary.”
The interim government reportedly agreed to use proceeds from oil sales to buy only US-made goods. Trump did not explain why he recognized Rodríguez as Venezuela’s new leader.
Opposition Leaders and Political Dynamics
Analysts expected Maduro’s ouster to allow the return of opposition leaders Edmundo González and María Corina Machado. However, Trump dismissed Machado, claiming she lacked the “respect” and support to lead Venezuela.
Machado had previously united opposition groups before the 2024 presidential election but was barred from running. She supported González as her proxy. Despite government-backed election results declaring Maduro the winner, independent tallies suggest González won by a landslide.
González went into exile to avoid government repression. Machado also went into hiding within Venezuela and later traveled to Oslo to collect the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting democratic rights. She plans to return to Venezuela soon, though her current location remains unknown.
