Trump Discusses Venezuela’s Political Future

No Elections in the Immediate Future

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela will not conduct new elections in the next 30 days. He emphasized the need for the country to stabilize before any election can occur, following the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro.

Trump’s Statement to NBC News

In an interview with NBC News, Trump asserted that the United States is not at war with Venezuela, despite increasing involvement in the Latin American nation. "We have to fix the country first. You can’t have an election. There’s no way the people could even vote," he stated.

A Call for Rebuilding

Trump elaborated on the challenges ahead, saying, "It’s going to take a period of time. We have to nurse the country back to health." These comments were made shortly after the U.S. armed forces captured Maduro and transported him to New York for questioning regarding his alleged crimes, including narco-terrorism.

Maduro’s Response and Political Dynamics

Maduro, claiming to still be Venezuela’s legitimate leader, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Meanwhile, vice president Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as his successor and interim president on the same day.

U.S. Plans for Venezuela’s Energy Sector

Trump highlighted that the U.S. could assist in rebuilding Venezuela’s oil and energy sectors, potentially subsidizing companies involved in this restoration. "I think we can do it in less time than that, but it’ll be a lot of money," he stated.

Clarifying U.S. Intentions

During the interview, Trump clarified that the U.S. is not engaged in a military conflict with Venezuela. "No, we’re not," he reiterated when asked about the nature of U.S. involvement. Instead, he described a broader war against drug trafficking, stating, "We’re at war with people that sell drugs."

Senior Officials Overseeing Involvement

A group of senior officials will oversee U.S. actions in Venezuela, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

Prepared for Further Military Action

Trump also indicated that the U.S. is ready to conduct another military operation if cooperation falters. "We’re prepared to do it," he asserted, despite criticism regarding the lack of congressional authorization for current actions.

Confidence in Political Support

Lastly, Trump expressed confidence in his political backing. "MAGA loves it. MAGA loves what I’m doing. MAGA loves everything I do," he concluded, reinforcing his commitment to the strategy in Venezuela.