Trump Vows U.S. Leadership for Safe Transition in Venezuela

President Donald Trump announced a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Venezuela during a press statement at his Mar-a-Lago estate on December 22, 2025. This declaration follows a military operation that successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores.

U.S. Military Action in Venezuela

Trump confirmed that the U.S. would remain actively involved in Venezuela until a proper government transition could be established. He stated, “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.”

Impact on Venezuelan Oil Industry

Under Trump’s vision, U.S. oil companies are poised to invest in and revitalize Venezuela’s oil infrastructure. He emphasized the need for immediate capital infusion to restore operations, saying, “We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies…go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country.”

Next Steps and Political Landscape

While Trump avoided detailing the future political structure of Venezuela, he acknowledged the existence of a sitting vice president. His comments suggested potential consequences for those who remain loyal to Maduro. Trump said, “If they stay loyal, the future is really bad, and really bad for them.”

Safety of U.S. Personnel

• Trump reported that there were injuries among U.S. personnel during the operation, with no fatalities.
• He expressed satisfaction that the operation concluded with minimal harm to American forces.

International Relations and Control of Oil

Trump addressed concerns regarding other nations, particularly China, and their interest in Venezuelan oil. He assured that the U.S. would manage the situation effectively, stating, “There’s not going to be a problem… we can’t take a chance after having done this incredible thing.”

This military action and Trump’s commitment to overseeing a transition in Venezuela symbolize a new era in U.S. foreign policy, highlighting the importance of maintaining control over vital resources and geopolitical stability in the region.