The Greek Courier
A significant and mysterious conflict unfolds across the Caribbean in Venezuela. President Donald Trump recently proclaimed that the U.S. would be “running” Venezuela until a “proper transition can take place,” following military strikes that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This declaration envisions a new era for Venezuela, one where American oil interests take precedence. However, the Caracas government, with or without Maduro, appears to be in full control of developments within Venezuela, while far-right opposition leader Maria Corina Machado remains outside the country. What's going on?
In addition, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who is now thrust into the leadership role of Venezuela's existing regime, has issued a desperate plea for proof of life regarding Maduro.
This starkly contrasts Trump's assertion of control and raises questions about who is truly in charge. Rodriguez demanded verification that the former president is alive during a broadcast on state television, indicating that while the U.S. claims to be in control, remnants of the old regime still strive to maintain their foothold in Caracas.
The dual realities present a complex narrative. On one hand, Trump’s administration is firm in its belief that the U.S. military force—and consequently U.S. influence—will rectify Venezuela’s troubled governance. He expressed confidence that under U.S. oversight, Venezuelan oil assets would be seized, and the country’s infrastructure would be restored, fostering a relationship that he claims is for the benefit of both nations. “We want to surround ourselves with good neighbors,” Trump stated, asserting that such control is in the U.S.'s best interest.
Conversely, Rodriguez’s cry for acknowledgment of Maduro’s status highlights the fragility of the situation. Her plea underscores the reality that, despite America’s aggressive stance, the remnants of the old guard are still fighting for recognition and survival. Rodriguez’s use of state media to reach out reflects the struggle for legitimacy amid chaos, showing that the Venezuelan government, though weakened, has not capitulated entirely.
"We demand immediate proof of life from the administration of President Donald Trump regarding the life of President Maduro and the first lady," Rodriguez said in an audio call on state-run channel VTV Venezuela. At the same time, she announced that the US attack has claimed the lives of officials, military personnel, and civilians across the country.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are being brought by the USS Iwo Jima to New York where they'd stand trial according to American media.
Trump's statements
President Trump said the U.S. will run Venezuela until a "proper transition can take place," said he wasn't "afraid of boots on the ground," and defended Saturday's military strikes that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
"We're there now, but we're going to stay until such time as the proper transition can take place," Trump told reporters from Mar a Lago. "So we're going to stay until such time as we're going to run it, essentially, until such time as a proper transition can take place."
Trump claimed that having the U.S. "run" Venezuela was in the U.S.' best interest.
"We want to surround ourselves with good neighbors," he said. "We want to surround ourselves with stability."
Trump said a group of people would step in to run Venezuela, including Secretary of State Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and added U.S. oil companies would have military back up as they move into the region.
"We're not afraid of boots on the ground," he said. "And we have to have, we had boots on the ground last night at a very high level. Actually, we're not afraid of it, we're we don't mind saying it, but we're going to make sure that that country is run properly. We're not doing this in vain."
Trump made clear he expects the U.S. to sell seized oil assets and said he expects money will both go to Venezuela as well as the U.S.
"We're going to be taking out a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground, and that wealth is going to the people of Venezuela, and people from outside of Venezuela that used to be in Venezuela, and it goes also to the United States of America in the form of reimbursement for the damages caused us by that country," Trump said.
Trump was vague on who would be running the country specifically, but said Rubio had spoken to the current vice president, Delcy Rodriguez.
"We're designating various people, and we're going to let you know who those people are that would run Venezuela," he said. "It's largely going to be for a period of time, the people that are standing right behind me. We're going to be running it."
He said U.S. oil companies would head to Venezuela to operate in their oil reserves, and the military is set to attack again if necessary to secure the effort.
"We're going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country, and we are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so," he said.
"We will win"
In a particularly meaningful message, Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who was rumored to have been killed in the bombings, delivered a speech to the country's people.
"And at the end of these attacks, we will win. Long live the homeland! Faithful forever! We will never become traitors. This is not the first struggle, this is not the first battle... we know how to survive in all circumstances," he emphasized.
At the same time, as Rodriguez confirms, the president's orders to the military remain in effect. Maduro "has given very clear orders to the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (...) to activate all plans for the full defense of the nation. President Maduro's instructions have been given."
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