President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States could carry out another military strike against Venezuela if the country’s new leadership fails to comply with U.S. demands. His remarks signal that Washington is prepared to escalate pressure following the recent operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Why This Statement Matters
Trump’s warning came at a sensitive moment, just as Venezuela’s interim leadership appeared to soften its public stance toward the United States. Interim leader Delcy Rodríguez adopted a more diplomatic tone after initially condemning the U.S. action and criticizing Washington’s role in Maduro’s arrest.
This shift highlights the uncertainty surrounding who truly controls power in Caracas and how Venezuela’s political future may unfold.
Trump Claims the U.S. Is “In Charge”
Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked about Venezuela’s current leadership structure. He avoided naming a specific authority, saying the situation was controversial, before bluntly adding that the United States is now effectively in control.
These comments reinforced Trump’s view that the U.S. has decisive influence over Venezuela’s direction following the arrest of Maduro.
Conflicting Signals From Venezuelan Leadership
On Saturday, Trump said Rodríguez had been “gracious” during discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reportedly telling him that Venezuelan officials would cooperate fully with U.S. requests.
However, in a televised address later that day, Rodríguez struck a defiant note, declaring that Venezuela would never again become “a colony of another empire.” This contradiction prompted Trump to issue a sharper warning in an interview with The Atlantic, saying that if Rodríguez failed to “do what’s right,” she could face consequences even more severe than those imposed on Maduro.
Rodríguez Calls for Cooperation and Dialogue
After Trump’s remarks, Rodríguez extended a public invitation for collaboration. Writing on Telegram, she urged the U.S. government to pursue a cooperative agenda focused on shared development, respect for international law, and long-term regional stability.
She emphasized that Venezuela’s people deserve peace, dialogue, and economic progress rather than continued conflict. Rodríguez also reaffirmed that national sovereignty and development remain central goals for the country’s future.
U.S. Demands: Oil Access and Control
When asked what Washington expects from Venezuela’s interim leadership, Trump was clear. He said the U.S. requires “total access,” including access to Venezuelan oil and other strategic resources. According to Trump, such access would allow the United States to help rebuild the country.
In his interview, Trump argued that rebuilding Venezuela — whether described as regime change or something else — would be better than the current situation. He added that conditions in the country are so dire that they “can’t get any worse.”
