At a Glance
- The U.S. is split on its role in Venezuela after Maduro’s removal.
- President Trump says the U.S. will “run it, fix it,” while Secretary Rubio stresses only an oil quarantine.
- 32 Cuban security officers were killed in the operation that extracted Maduro, a fact Trump acknowledged.
The U.S. officials are at odds over how to manage Venezuela after a midnight operation that seized President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from a Caracas military base. Trump claims the U.S. will control the country, while Rubio says Washington will enforce an existing oil quarantine and push for policy changes. The operation also resulted in the deaths of 32 Cuban officers, a casualty Trump noted.
Trump Declares U.S. Control
Donald Trump announced:
> “We’re in charge.”
He added that the U.S. would “run it, fix it” and needed full access to oil operations to rebuild the nation. Trump also warned that Delcy Rodríguez would “pay a very big price” if she did not cooperate, and he noted that “no death on our side” during the operation.
- “We’re in charge.”
- “We’re going to run it, fix it.”
- “We need access to the oil to rebuild.”
- “No death on our side.”
Rubio Emphasizes Oil Quarantine
Marco Rubio said:
> “We continue with that quarantine, and we expect to see that there will be changes, not just in the way the oil industry is run for the benefit of the people, but also so that they stop the drug trafficking.”
He clarified that the U.S. would not govern day-to-day but would enforce the existing oil sanctions and use the leverage to push for policy shifts benefiting both the U.S. and Venezuelans.
- Enforce existing oil quarantine.
- Expect changes in oil industry operations.
- Aim to stop drug trafficking.
- Use leverage until beneficial changes occur.
Rodríguez Responds with a Call for Cooperation
Delcy Rodríguez wrote online:
> “We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation oriented towards shared development within the framework of international law to strengthen lasting community coexistence.”
She also called the U.S. operation an “atrocity,” urged the release of Maduro, and declared him the rightful leader of Venezuela.
- Invite U.S. collaboration.
- Call operation an atrocity.
- Urge release of Maduro.
- Declare Maduro rightful leader.
Operation and Legal Fallout
The midnight raid extracted Maduro and his wife, a move the Venezuelan government labeled “imperialist.” Both face U.S. charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, and Maduro is due to appear in Manhattan federal court on Monday. A new indictment released Saturday portrays Maduro’s administration as corrupt and drug-trafficking-driven, while the operation also killed 32 Cuban security officers, a fact Trump acknowledged.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Midnight raid extracting Maduro | Saturday |
| Supreme Court rules Rodríguez acting president | Sunday |
| Maduro’s court appearance | Monday |
Domestic Venezuelan Response
Venezuela’s government continued normal operations over the weekend, with the capital remaining unusually quiet. Maduro’s son, lawmaker Nicolás Ernesto Guerra, has not appeared publicly since the raid. The National Assembly, still under the ruling party, is set to be sworn in at the legislative palace.
Key Takeaways
- Trump claims U.S. control, Rubio stresses limited role.
- Operation killed 32 Cuban officers, Maduro faces charges.
- Rodríguez shifts tone, invites cooperation but demands Maduro’s release.
The divergent U.S. positions and the violent fallout underscore the uncertain future of Venezuela’s governance and regional stability.
