Trump Signals Long-Term U.S. Control Of Venezuela

The United States plans to control Venezuela for at least a year and potentially much longer, President Donald Trump said in an interview with The New York Times, outlining Washington’s intention to oversee the country’s oil sector and political direction.

“I would say much longer,” Trump said when asked how long U.S. control could last, adding that “only time will tell,” while declining to give a specific timeframe.

Trump said the U.S. intends to extract Venezuelan oil to help lower global prices and provide funds to Caracas, while acknowledging that restoring the country’s oil industry would take years. “The oil will take a while,” he said.

He said Venezuela’s interim authorities are cooperating with Washington and described them as responsive to U.S. demands. “They’re giving us everything that we feel is necessary,” Trump said, referring to the nationalization of oil assets previously operated by U.S. companies.

“Venezuela is going to be purchasing ONLY American Made Products, with the money they receive from our new Oil Deal... A wise choice, and a very good thing for the people of Venezuela, and the United States,” Trump said. These purchases will include agricultural products, medicines, medical devices and equipment to improve the country’s electric grid and energy facilities.

Trump confirmed ongoing contact between U.S. officials and interim president Delcy Rodriguez, saying Secretary of State Marco Rubio communicates with her regularly and that the White House remains in constant contact with the current leadership.

The remarks followed reports of explosions in Caracas, after which Trump said the U.S. carried out major airstrikes on the capital. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured, removed from the country, transferred to the U.S. military base at Guantánamo Bay, and later flown to New York, where they were detained in Brooklyn.

Trump said the U.S. had already begun taking Venezuelan crude oil under sanctions and announced plans to obtain between 30 million and 50 million barrels. He said the U.S. plans to assume control over selling Venezuelan oil as part of a multi-phase strategy outlined to Congress by Secretary of State Rubio.

Trump declined to comment on when elections would be held in Venezuela or why Washington recognized Delcy Rodriguez instead of opposition-backed candidate Edmundo González, who opposition forces declared the winner of the 2024 election.