United States President Donald Trump said his administration could oversee Venezuela for years following the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. special forces.
Speaking to The New York Times, Trump said “only time will tell” how long Washington would remain directly involved, indicating it would likely extend well beyond a year.
His comments came as Venezuelan officials disclosed a high civilian and military death toll from the operation that removed Maduro from power.
Since the raid, the United States has asserted authority over Venezuela’s oil sector and political transition, while declining to outline a clear timetable for elections.
Trump said the United States was “getting along very well” with the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez, whom Washington has recognized as Venezuela’s leader.
He confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio remains in regular contact with Rodríguez and suggested cooperation on economic matters would continue.
The president reiterated that the United States intends to control Venezuelan oil sales indefinitely, arguing that oil revenues could be used to rebuild the country.
“We will rebuild it [Venezuela] in a very profitable way,” Trump said, adding that the United States would take oil while providing financial support.
He declined to explain why Rodríguez was recognized over opposition leader María Corina Machado and did not commit to holding new elections.
Trump also dismissed Machado’s prospects for leadership, despite her role in the opposition’s 2024 campaign against Maduro.
Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the U.S. raid killed 100 people and wounded dozens more.
He stated that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were injured during the operation but are recovering.
The attack involved 150 aircraft departing from 20 airbases and ended with Maduro and Flores being taken to New York to face drug and weapons charges.
Caracas later released partial casualty figures, including 23 Venezuelan soldiers and 32 Cuban military and intelligence personnel.
Venezuelan officials accused U.S. forces of killing members of Maduro’s security detail “in cold blood.”
Rodríguez declared a week of national mourning for military personnel killed during the raid, while opposition figures described Maduro’s removal as irreversible.