In a dramatic shift in US foreign policy, President Donald Trump stated that the United States will "run" Venezuela until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" can be established following the military capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
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bbc.comThe US military operation, which took place early Saturday, involved significant air and ground forces targeting key locations in Caracas.
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npr.orgTrump's remarks came during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, where he outlined plans for US oil companies to invest in Venezuela's energy sector.He described the country's oil infrastructure as "badly broken" and asserted that US firms would spend billions to repair it, thereby generating revenue for both Venezuela and the United States.
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cnbc.comnbcnews.comVenezuela is home to the largest proven oil reserves in the world, estimated at approximately 303 billion barrels, which accounts for about 17% of global reserves.
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cnbc.comThe president emphasized that the US would maintain a presence in Venezuela until a proper transition occurs, stating, "We're going to stay until such time as we're going to run it, essentially." He indicated that a group of US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, would be involved in the governance of Venezuela during this period.
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npr.orgbbc.co.ukTrump's comments also included a controversial assertion that the US would sell seized oil assets, with profits intended to benefit both the Venezuelan people and the US He remarked, "We're going to be taking out a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground," suggesting that this wealth would also serve as reimbursement for damages caused by the Maduro regime.
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npr.orgnbcnews.comThe military operation that led to Maduro's capture has drawn international condemnation.Countries such as Russia and China have criticized the US actions as violations of Venezuela's sovereignty, with China labeling the strikes as "hegemonic acts" that threaten regional peace.
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bbc.comnbcnews.comIn the aftermath of the operation, Maduro and Flores were flown to the US for trial on charges including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism.
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bbc.comTrump has stated that the US will ensure that Venezuela is "run properly," although details on who will specifically lead the country remain vague.
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bbc.co.ukThe president's plan to revitalize Venezuela's oil sector is ambitious, given the extensive damage and decay of its infrastructure over the years.Experts estimate that restoring production to levels seen in the 1990s would require over $8 billion in investments.
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nbcnews.comThe US Energy Information Administration has noted that many of Venezuela's oil pipelines are over 50 years old, complicating efforts to increase production.
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nbcnews.comWhile Trump has expressed confidence in the potential for US oil companies to operate in Venezuela, the reality of such an endeavor will depend on achieving a stable political environment and overcoming the challenges posed by existing sanctions and infrastructure issues.
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nbcnews.comAs the situation develops, the global energy market is watching closely, with potential implications for oil prices and supply chains.The US has indicated that it is prepared to take further military action if necessary to secure its interests in Venezuela's oil resources.
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npr.orgcnbc.comIn summary, Trump's declaration marks a significant escalation in US involvement in Venezuela, with the potential to reshape both the country's political landscape and the global energy market in the coming years.
