President Donald Trump says the U.S. government could oversee Venezuela “much longer” than a year, following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by American forces in Caracas over the weekend. Trump made the remarks in an Oval Office interview with The New York Times on Wednesday. “We will rebuild it in a very profitable way,” he said, outlining plans to channel Venezuela’s oil sales into national development. “We’re going to be using oil, and we’re going to be taking oil,” he added, saying proceeds would include support for Venezuela, “which they desperately need.”
Maduro was flown to the U.S. on Saturday to face narco-terrorism charges, as the administration works with interim leader Delcy Rodríguez on next steps for the oil-rich nation. Trump also spoke Wednesday with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, later saying, “I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future.” The call, held with The New York Times reporters present, included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. Trump has branded his regional stance the “Donroe Doctrine,” signaling continued U.S. influence in the hemisphere.