WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States will manage Venezuela’s affairs until a transfer of power takes place, signaling a change in the country’s leadership.
Trump said that a new leadership option should be considered for Venezuela and mentioned opposition figure María Corina as a possible name. He claimed that Venezuela’s current leadership had lost legitimacy and said President Nicolás Maduro’s election was “shameful.”
Trump stated that Maduro had been warned earlier to surrender. He also claimed that the US carried out a military operation in Venezuela under his orders, calling it a major success. According to Trump, the operation involved ground, air, and naval forces and targeted drug trafficking networks.
He alleged that Maduro and his wife were arrested during the operation and that Maduro would face trial in New York. Trump further claimed that electricity was shut down in Caracas during the operation and that no US soldier was killed.
The former US president said drug smuggling from Venezuela had caused heavy losses in the United States and described the action as part of a wider war against narcotics. He claimed that the US loses hundreds of thousands of people each year due to drugs.
Trump also said that US oil companies would enter Venezuela and that Washington would ensure the protection of its citizens. He added that the US was prepared for another attack on Venezuela if needed, but said the first operation had already achieved its goals.
He concluded by saying that the US wanted stability and better conditions for the people of Venezuela and would not allow oppression against them.
