The United States could run Venezuela and tap into its oil reserves for years, President Donald Trump said in an interview published Thursday, days after the dramatic removal of President Nicolas Maduro. Speaking to The New York Times, Trump suggested that Washington’s involvement in the South American country would not be brief and that long-term oversight was firmly on the table.
“Only time will tell” how long the United States would demand direct control, Trump said. When pressed on whether that meant months or a year, he added, “I would say much longer.” His comments reinforced a growing narrative from the White House that Venezuela now falls squarely under American influence following last weekend’s military operation.
Trump also signaled personal interest in visiting the country. “I think at some point it’ll be safe,” he said, hinting at confidence in the new political order taking shape. The statements come after US special forces carried out a lightning raid that seized Maduro and his wife, transporting them to New York to face drug and weapons charges. The operation was described by Trump as a clear example of the “Donroe Doctrine,” which frames US dominance across the Western Hemisphere.
Since the raid, Trump has repeatedly stated that the United States will “run” Venezuela, even while confirming there are no American boots on the ground. The message has unsettled governments across the region and sparked sharp reactions inside Venezuela itself.
Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez rejected the claim that any foreign power was governing the country. “There is a stain on our relations such as had never occurred in our history,” Rodriguez said of the US attack. Despite this, she acknowledged a shift in economic relations, saying it was “not unusual or irregular” to trade with the United States following confirmation that state oil firm PDVSA is negotiating crude sales with Washington.
Why is Venezuelan oil central to US control plans?
Oil has quickly emerged as the foundation of Washington’s strategy. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, making control over production and exports a powerful economic lever. Trump announced plans earlier this week for the United States to sell between 30 million and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, with Caracas using the proceeds to purchase US-made goods.
The proposal has divided opinion among Venezuelans. In Caracas, some residents see potential opportunity in US oversight. “I feel we’ll have more opportunities if the oil is in the hands of the United States than in the hands of the government,” said Jose Antonio Blanco, 26. “The decisions they’ll make are better.” Others remain uncertain. Teresa Gonzalez, 52, expressed confusion and exhaustion over the situation. “It’s a tangled mess. What we do is try to survive, if we don’t work, we don’t eat,” she said.
Trump is also reportedly considering a plan for the United States to exert direct influence over PDVSA itself. According to the Wall Street Journal, this would give Washington effective control over much of the Western Hemisphere’s oil reserves. The strategy aligns with Trump’s stated goal of driving global oil prices down to $50 a barrel.
Vice President JD Vance reinforced the administration’s position by framing oil revenue as a pressure tool. “The way that we control Venezuela is we control the purse strings,” he said. “We tell the regime, ‘you’re allowed to sell the oil so long as you serve America’s national interest.’”
How is Washington justifying its actions at home and abroad?
Vance, an Iraq war veteran who has often criticized overseas military interventions, stressed that the Venezuela plan avoids prolonged conflict. He said it would apply pressure “without wasting a single American life,” addressing concerns within Trump’s political base.
Still, opposition is mounting. The US Senate is voting on a war powers resolution that would require congressional approval for any military action against Venezuela. The vote will test Republican unity behind Trump’s aggressive foreign policy.
Meanwhile, Caracas announced that at least 100 people were killed and a similar number wounded during the US operation. Cuba has claimed that 32 of its soldiers were among the dead. Despite these reports, Washington has signaled it will continue backing Rodriguez while sidelining other opposition figures, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado.
Analysts warn Rodriguez’s position remains fragile. “Her power comes from Washington, not from the internal structure. If Trump decides she’s no longer useful, she’ll go like Maduro,” said former Venezuelan information minister Andres Izarra.
The US action has sent shockwaves across the Americas, especially after Trump hinted that other countries could face similar treatment. Tensions with Colombia briefly flared before easing, as Bogota agreed to take “joint action” against cocaine-smuggling groups along the Venezuelan border.
By Lucky Anyanje