US President Donald Trump said that the United States expects to oversee Venezuela and extract oil from the country’s vast reserves for years.
Trump’s statement after the conflict between the two countries signalled a prolonged American role with no clear end date following the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
While speaking to the press, US President Donald Trump said, “Only time will tell how long Washington will maintain direct oversight of Venezuela.”
Trump also indicated that it would be “much longer” than months.
The US President further said, “We will rebuild it in a very profitable way, and we’re going to be using oil, and we’re going to be taking oil,” reported IANS.
US plans to control the sale of Venezuelan oil indefinitely
Trump also hinted that the United States is planning to control the sale of Venezuelan oil indefinitely, an approach he described as necessary to stabilise the country and lower global energy prices. “We’re getting oil prices down, and we’re going to be giving money to Venezuela, which they desperately need,” Trump added.
The statements from US President Donald Trump came hours after administration officials told Congress that the US would effectively assume control of selling Venezuelan oil as part of a three-phase plan outlined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Republicans have largely backed the approach, whereas leaders of the Democratic Party have warned it risks turning into a long-term intervention without clear legal authority.
Trump stays shut when asked about elections in Venezuela
Trump declined to say when elections would be held in Venezuela and avoided questions about why Washington recognised Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, as the country’s interim leader instead of backing opposition figures.
Donald Trump also emphasised that it would take years to revive Venezuela’s neglected oil sector. “The oil will take a while,” he further added.
Asked what might prompt the deployment of US ground troops, Trump refused to give specifics, stating that, “I can’t tell you that. I really wouldn’t want to tell you that.”
Stating that, “They’re giving us everything that we feel is necessary,” Donald Trump insisted that Venezuela’s current leadership is cooperating with Washington despite public criticism.
The statement by US President Donald Trump underscores his focus on the successful military operation that captured Maduro, even as questions mount in Washington about the duration, cost and consequences of the US role in Venezuela.
(With inputs from IANS)
US oversight of Venezuela could last many years: Trump
