Caracas: The US is 'in charge' of Venezuela, President Donald Trump stated following a military operation in which the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife were 'captured' and brought to the United States to face criminal charges.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, Trump addressed reporters aboard Air Force One when questioned about his communication with Venezuela's acting president, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who was appointed by the nation's top court on Saturday. He remarked that the US needs complete access to Venezuela's resources, particularly its oil, to aid in the country's rebuilding efforts. Trump issued a warning to Rodriguez, suggesting she could encounter a situation "probably worse than Maduro" if she fails to cooperate with the US.
Trump also revealed that major US oil companies are set to engage in rebuilding Venezuela's infrastructure, with plans to invest billions of dollars without relying on US government funding. He emphasized that the oil companies would handle the infrastructure repairs and financial investments.
During the operation, Trump reported that numerous Cuban security personnel protecting Maduro were killed, although he noted there were no casualties on the US side. The New York Times reported that the death toll from the operation has risen to 80, citing a senior Venezuelan official who suggested the number could increase further.
Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores arrived in New York late Saturday and are currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. They face US federal charges related to drug trafficking and alleged ties to gangs labeled as terrorist organizations, accusations Maduro has denied. Officials in Caracas have demanded the release of the couple.