US President Donald Trump has stated that his country's involvement in Venezuela could last for years.
He told the New York Times that only time will tell how long his administration would oversee the running of the South American nation following the seizure by US forces of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a raid on Saturday.
Trump also did not specify if or when elections would be held in Venezuela to replace the interim government led by Maduro loyalist Delcy Rodríguez.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said the ouster of Maduro had set off an irreversible process that would lead Venezuela to be free.
New York Times journalists quizzed Trump on his future plans for Venezuela days after he mentioned that his administration would run the oil-rich nation.
The White House announced earlier that the US intends to control sales of sanctioned oil indefinitely. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright argued for this strategy, stating that it provides leverage over the interim government in Caracas.
Trump elaborated that the US would be taking oil from Venezuela, which possesses the world's largest proven reserves, though he acknowledged it would take time to revive the country's oil industry.
Venezuela's oil production has sharply declined due to mismanagement by the Maduro government and prior US sanctions.
Trump expressed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in constant contact with Rodríguez, who was declared Venezuela’s interim leader by the Maduro-dominated Supreme Court. He mentioned that Rodríguez is fulfilling necessary actions on behalf of the US.
While Machado has gathered opposition support for a new election, Trump dismissed her qualifications to lead. He voiced skepticism about her ability to command the necessary respect to unify Venezuela.
Pressure mounts for the interim government to respect the results of opposition-led elections, as political prisoners remain a critical point of contention in the discussion for Venezuela's future.
As Trump's administration seeks to navigate this intricate political landscape, the focus on restoring Venezuela appears coupled with a promise to rebuild its economy profitably and responsibly, using its vast oil resources.
