US to Oversee Venezuela’s Transition After Maduro Arrest, Says Trump

Washington, Jan 2026 : Former US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that the United States would “run” Venezuela for a period following the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, asserting that Washington would supervise a transitional administration while rebuilding the country’s oil sector and maintaining a continued American presence linked to energy interests.

Speaking at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump described what he termed an extraordinary US-led operation and laid out broad outlines of the post-operation phase. He said the United States would play a central role in stabilising Venezuela, which has been mired in years of political turmoil, economic collapse and declining oil production.

When asked who would govern Venezuela in the immediate aftermath, Trump said, “We’re going to be running it with a group,” adding that his administration was already “designating various people” to manage the transition. He indicated that the arrangement would be temporary but did not specify a timeline for the restoration of full Venezuelan self-governance.

On the question of American military involvement, Trump made clear that the United States was prepared to deploy troops if required. “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,” he said, noting that US forces had already been involved during the operation that led to Maduro’s arrest. He further warned that Washington was prepared to intervene again if instability returned, saying the United States was “ready to go again if we have to.”

A central element of Trump’s remarks focused on Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, once among the most productive in the world. He said the United States would maintain a continued presence tied to the oil sector, arguing that reviving energy infrastructure was essential to stabilising the country and financing its recovery. “We’re going to have a continued presence as it pertains to oil,” Trump said, adding that rebuilding the sector would help restore basic services and economic activity.

Trump stressed that the operation was designed to prevent any remaining elements of the Maduro regime from retaining power or influence. When asked whether he was worried that “bad elements” might continue to operate behind the scenes, he replied, “We know who they are. We’re on them,” claiming their behaviour had already changed under US pressure.

Questions about whether Congress had been informed in advance of the operation were directed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who defended the secrecy surrounding the mission. Rubio said it was not the kind of operation that allowed for prior congressional notification, warning that advance disclosure would have “endangered the mission.”

Trump also addressed the broader geopolitical implications of US involvement in Venezuela, including its impact on relations with China and Russia, both of which have significant interests in the country. He said Venezuelan oil would be sold on the global market and dismissed suggestions that US oversight would restrict exports or distort energy markets.

Responding to criticism that previous US interventions abroad lacked clear post-conflict plans, Trump rejected comparisons with past administrations. “Not with me,” he said, citing earlier operations he described as successful. While he said he wanted the transition in Venezuela to happen “quickly,” Trump acknowledged that rebuilding what he called “rotted” infrastructure would take time.

Pressed on how administering a South American country aligned with his “America First” doctrine, Trump argued that regional stability directly served US interests. “We want to surround ourselves with good neighbours,” he said, adding that Venezuela’s energy resources were strategically important and needed to be protected.

Trump was also asked whether the move sent a message to Cuba. He described Cuba as “a failing nation” and said the United States wanted to help its people, while Rubio suggested officials in Havana “would be concerned at least a little bit” by Washington’s actions.

Toward the end of the exchange, Trump commented on Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he was “not thrilled” with him and accusing him of causing massive loss of life. Trump said he wanted to see an end to the war and the bloodshed.

Venezuela has faced a prolonged political and economic crisis marked by disputed leadership claims, sweeping international sanctions and a collapse in oil production. These factors have driven millions of Venezuelans to flee the country and have kept Venezuela at the centre of sustained US attention in the Western Hemisphere.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)