US Trump Administration Asserts Plans to Influence Venezuelan Policy

US Administration Reiterates Control Over Venezuela’s Governance

The administration of President Donald Trump has reaffirmed its plan to dictate terms to the interim government of Venezuela. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the US attack on Venezuela for the first time in a news briefing, stating that the US is continuing to be in close coordination with the interim authorities.

Vice President JD Vance also commented on the situation, saying that the US would apply economic pressure to ensure compliance with Trump’s priorities. “We control the purse strings and energy resources,” Vance stated. “The regime is allowed to sell oil as long as it serves America’s interests.”

The Trump administration launched a military operation in Venezuela to capture President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who face charges related to cocaine shipments. The couple was transported to New York City.

In the aftermath of the attack, it was unclear whether the US would seek to expel the remnants of the Maduro government. However, the Trump administration has since signaled a priority on stability in Venezuela over quickly installing new leadership.

The administration has declined to set a timeline for new elections, citing that it is too premature and early to dictate such a schedule. Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former vice president, was officially sworn in as Venezuela’s interim leader, and the US has indicated it would work with her on extracting and selling Venezuelan oil.

The Trump White House described its relationship with Rodriguez as one of influence over Venezuela’s decisions. “If she doesn’t do what’s right, she will pay a very big price,” Trump stated. Leavitt echoed this sentiment, saying that the US has maximum leverage over the interim authorities in Venezuela.

Trump recently announced that Venezuela would surrender 30 to 50 million barrels of oil for sale on the international market, with the proceeds controlled by him as President of the United States. The Rodriguez government has denied claims of US puppeteering its decisions, but has struck a conciliatory posture towards the administration at times.

Source: Al Jazeera