Donald Trump says the US will temporarily run Venezuela after Nicolás Maduro’s arrest, overseeing a political transition, rebuilding oil infrastructure, and restoring stability through US-led administration funded by energy revenues.
US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will temporarily administer Venezuela following the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, a move he said is necessary to prevent instability, restore democratic governance, and rebuild the country’s collapsing oil infrastructure. Speaking at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump framed the intervention as a controlled transition rather than long-term occupation.
Asked directly who would govern Venezuela in the interim, Trump stated that the United States would oversee the process through a designated group of officials. “We’re going to be running it with a group,” he said, adding that preparations were already underway to manage political, economic, and security matters during the transition period.
Trump emphasized that Washington would maintain authority “until such time as a safe, proper, and judicious transition can take place.” He warned that a rapid withdrawal could plunge Venezuela back into chaos. “If we just left, it has zero chance of ever coming back,” he said, referencing past international interventions that failed due to premature exits.
A central focus of Trump’s plan is Venezuela’s oil sector, once one of the world’s most productive but now severely degraded due to years of mismanagement, corruption, and sanctions. Trump described the industry as critical to both national recovery and regional stability. “The oil business in Venezuela has been a bust,” he said, blaming the Maduro administration for the collapse.
According to Trump, major US oil companies are prepared to invest billions of dollars to rehabilitate Venezuela’s oil infrastructure. “We’re going to rebuild the oil infrastructure,” he said, stressing that the costs would be borne directly by private energy firms rather than American taxpayers. The revenues generated, he added, would primarily benefit Venezuelans while also reimbursing the United States for its administrative role.
Trump confirmed that the US would maintain a continued presence in Venezuela linked to energy operations. “We’re going to have a presence in Venezuela as it pertains to oil,” he said. He also acknowledged that American personnel were already involved during the operation that led to Maduro’s arrest.
When questioned about the possibility of deploying US troops, Trump did not rule it out. “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,” he said, though he declined to provide details on troop numbers or duration. The administration, he insisted, would ensure security while preventing loyalists of the former regime from regaining power.
“We know who they are. We’re on them,” Trump said, referring to officials and military figures linked to Maduro’s government. He added that individuals associated with corruption or human rights abuses would not be allowed to retain influence during the transition.
Trump also addressed diplomatic efforts, revealing that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had communicated with Venezuela’s current vice president. According to Trump, she expressed willingness to cooperate with US-led transition efforts. “She’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary,” he said.
Defending the move under his “America First” doctrine, Trump argued that stabilizing Venezuela aligns with US national interests. “We want to surround ourselves with good neighbors,” he said, highlighting the impact of Venezuela’s collapse on regional migration and security. He also stressed the global importance of Venezuela’s energy resources.
On international trade, Trump confirmed that the United States would sell Venezuelan oil on the global market. “We’re in the oil business,” he said. “We’ll be selling large amounts of oil to other countries.”
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Responding to criticism that the plan resembles long-term occupation, Trump insisted the operation would not burden US taxpayers. “It won’t cost us anything,” he said, citing oil revenues as the primary funding source.
The United States has imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry for years, accusing its leadership of widespread corruption, economic mismanagement, and actions that triggered mass migration. Trump’s announcement marks a dramatic escalation in US involvement, signaling a new phase in Washington’s approach to Venezuela’s political crisis.
