> At a Glance
> – President Trump says no Venezuelan election within 30 days after U.S. forces arrest Nicolás Maduro
> – Reconstruction of oil infrastructure may take under 18 months with U.S. subsidies
> – Vice President Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as acting president and cooperating with Washington
> – Why it matters: The U.S. is poised for long-term involvement in Venezuela’s political and economic future
President Donald Trump has announced that Venezuela will not hold new elections in the next month, signaling a prolonged U.S. engagement after Saturday’s capture of Nicolás Maduro by American forces.
No Quick Return to Ballots
Trump told Sophia A. Reynolds the country must be stabilized before any vote can occur.
> “We have to fix the country first. You can’t have an election. There’s no way the people could even vote.”
He estimated recovery will take “a period of time” and compared the effort to nursing a nation back to health.
Energy Rebuild Plan
The administration is weighing subsidies for oil companies to reconstruct Venezuela’s energy sector.
- Timeline: Less than 18 months
- Funding: Oil companies front costs, reimbursed later by U.S. or revenue
- Scope: “Tremendous amount of money” required
Trump predicted companies will invest heavily once the reimbursement framework is clear.
Who’s in Charge
A team of senior officials will oversee U.S. involvement:
| Official | Role |
|---|---|
| Marco Rubio | Secretary of State |
| Pete Hegseth | Defense Secretary |
| Stephen Miller | Deputy White House chief of staff |
| JD Vance | Vice President |
> “It’s a group of all. They have all expertise, different expertise.”
When asked who holds final authority, Trump replied: “Me.”
Maduro’s Legal Status
Hours before the interview, Maduro was arraigned in New York on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty and maintains he remains Venezuela’s leader.
Relationship with Acting President Rodríguez
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in Monday as acting president. Trump confirmed she is cooperating with U.S. officials.
- No pre-raid communication occurred between Washington and Rodríguez
- Sanctions against her are under review
- Secretary Rubio speaks with her “fluently in Spanish”
Trump hinted a second U.S. incursion is possible if cooperation falters but said he doubts it will be necessary.
Political Support
Facing bipartisan questions about bypassing Congress for the raid, Trump asserted legislative leaders were informed.
> “We have good support congressionally… people knew.”
He remains confident his base approves: “MAGA loves it… MAGA loves everything I do.”
Key Takeaways
- Venezuela will skip elections for at least 30 days while U.S. helps stabilize institutions
- American subsidies aim to revive oil output within 18 months
- Acting President Rodríguez’s cooperation will determine need for further U.S. action
- Trump insists Congress was aware of the operation despite no formal authorization
The interview underscores Washington’s open-ended commitment to reshaping Venezuela’s political and economic landscape.
