At a Glance
- President Trump rules out Venezuelan elections within 30 days after U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro
- U.S. may subsidize oil companies to rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector in under 18 months
- Trump insists “MAGA loves” the intervention despite bypassing Congress
- Why it matters: The U.S. is committing to long-term nation-building without congressional approval or clear exit strategy
President Trump outlined a sweeping plan for American control of Venezuela just days after U.S. special forces captured Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, signaling an open-ended military and economic commitment.
No Quick Elections
Trump flatly rejected holding elections within a month, saying the country must first be “nursed back to health.”
“You can’t have an election. There’s no way the people could even vote,” he told News Of Philadelphia.
The timeline for restoring democratic rule remains undefined.
Rebuilding the Oil Sector
The administration is weighing a major financial package to revive Venezuela’s energy infrastructure.
Key points:
- Oil companies would front the reconstruction costs
- U.S. would reimburse firms or use future oil revenue
- Trump claims the project could finish in <18 months
- Price tag described as “a tremendous amount of money”
Who’s Running the Show
Trump named a tight circle of officials to manage Venezuela policy:
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Stephen Miller, deputy White House chief of staff
- Vice President JD Vance
When asked who is ultimately in charge, Trump replied: “Me.”
Maduro’s Legal Fate
Hours before the interview, Maduro was arraigned in New York on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty while claiming he remains Venezuela’s leader.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president Monday. Trump confirmed she is now cooperating with Washington, but denied any pre-raid deal.
“A lot of people wanted to make a deal, but we decided to do it this way,” he said.
Military Threats Remain
Trump warned a second U.S. incursion is possible if Rodríguez stops cooperating.
“We’re prepared to do it. We anticipated doing it, actually,” he said, though he believes further action won’t be necessary.
Political Backlash
Lawmakers from both parties criticize Trump for not seeking congressional authorization for the raid. He insists legislators “knew what we were doing” but refuses to detail who was notified in advance.
Despite the controversy, Trump claims unified support:
> “MAGA loves it. MAGA loves what I’m doing. MAGA loves everything I do.”
Key Takeaways
- U.S. forces captured Maduro without congressional approval
- No Venezuelan elections planned for the foreseeable future
- Trump eyes American-subsidized oil-sector rebuild
- Further U.S. military action remains on the table
- Administration tightens control over Caracas policy
The president’s remarks cement a long-term U.S. role in Venezuela, with Trump personally directing both reconstruction plans and potential future military moves.
