"Time will tell": Trump signals long-term US oversight after Maduro capture 2026
President Trump hints at a long-term US presence in Venezuela after the 2026 capture of Nicolas Maduro. 100 people were killed in the raid as the US eyes control of oil reserves.
"Only time will tell" how long the United States will stay in control. President Donald Trump hasn't given a clear exit strategy for Venezuela following the high-stakes abduction of Nicolas Maduro by US special forces. While the heist is over, the occupation appears to be just starting.
Trump's vision for a "profitable" Venezuela and oil control
In an interview with The New York Times published this Thursday, Trump suggested that direct US oversight would likely last "much longer" than a year. He didn't hide his interest in the nation's massive energy reserves, stating the US would be "taking oil" to drive global prices down while funding a reconstruction of the South American nation.
We will rebuild it in a very profitable way. We're going to be using oil, and we're going to be taking oil. We're getting oil prices down, and we're going to be giving money to Venezuela, which they desperately need.
Despite interim leader Delcy Rodriguez's claims that no foreign power is governing Caracas, Trump noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in constant contact with her. Interestingly, Trump hasn't committed to new elections or recognized opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who won the 2024 election.
The bloody cost of the Maduro capture 2026 raid
The operation to snatch Maduro wasn't a bloodless coup. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported on Wednesday that 100 people were killed during the raid. The attack involved 150 jets taking off from 20 airbases, a massive show of force that overwhelmed Maduro's security.
Venezuelan officials describe the raid as a "terrible" attack where security personnel were killed "in cold blood." While Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were reportedly injured, they're currently recovering in US custody.
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