U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday (4 January) that the United States could carry out further military action in Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said Washington now effectively controls the country.
President Trump warned that remaining members of Venezuela’s leadership must cooperate with Washington, saying, “We are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so.”
He said the United States would work with figures still in power to reshape the country’s institutions rather than immediately install a new government.
According to President Trump, elections in Venezuela would only be held once stability had been restored, with the United States determining the timing and conditions.
He defended the military operation that led to Maduro’s detention as necessary and justified, describing Venezuela as a “narco-terror state” and accusing its leadership of facilitating drug trafficking and mass migration to the United States.
Maduro, 63, was flown to New York and placed in a federal detention centre, where he is due to appear in court on Monday on drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges first filed by U.S. prosecutors in 2020, U.S. officials said.
Additionally, Trump said U.S. oil companies would invest billions of dollars to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, arguing that American involvement was essential to revive what he described as a “dead country”.
He also claimed the United States had the right to make use of Venezuela’s oil resources as part of the reconstruction process.
Reportedly, the Trump administration had already been in contact with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.
President Trump said, she was warned that “if she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.”
Other regional and foreign policy remarks
Additional comments
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Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
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Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has urged Asian allies to increase military spending, warning of growing concern over China’s rapid military expansion and wider activities in the region.
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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