Starting this Saturday, Donald Trump has once again shaken up the Latin American political landscape with a statement that is already provoking reactions both inside and outside of Venezuela.
The U.S. president assured that his administration will control Venezuela and its oil profits following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, and that Delcy Rodríguez will lead a transitional government under conditions imposed by Washington.
From his residence in Mar-a-Lago, Trump stated that the United States will take control of the country "until there is a fair democratic transition," arguing that Venezuela's infrastructure is "rotted" and that the oil will be managed to benefit the population, but also to compensate the U.S. for past expropriations.
"We are going to lead this country correctly and we will make sure that the people of Venezuela are taken care of," said Trump, who did not rule out new military actions if sectors of Chavismo attempt to regain control of the country.
One of the most controversial elements of his statements was the direct mention of the Venezuelan vice president. According to Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in discussions with Delcy Rodríguez, whom he described as willing to "do what we believe needs to be done to make Venezuela great again," even using the phrase Make Venezuela Great Again.
Trump asserted that Rodríguez would assume the leadership of a transition government, while the United States would handle security and manage strategic resources, especially oil. “We will pull out a lot of money to take care of the country,” he stated, without specifying timelines or mechanisms.
The U.S. President described the capture of Maduro as "one of the best-planned hits since World War II" and stated that the Chavista leader was arrested along with his wife, Cilia Flores, and taken to U.S. territory to face charges of drug trafficking and organized crime. He also mentioned Diosdado Cabello as another leader who will have to answer to justice.
Meanwhile, from Caracas, Delcy Rodríguez publicly demanded proof of life for Maduro and his wife, fueling uncertainty about who truly holds power in the country.
On the streets of Venezuela, reports indicate mixed reactions: some celebrate what they see as the end of an era, while others fear that U.S. intervention will deepen the conflict.
For millions of Cubans—both on the island and abroad—the situation in Venezuela is not unfamiliar. What happens in Caracas could have direct repercussions in Havana, both economically and politically, at a time when both countries are experiencing deep internal tensions.
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