Trump : dismisses early surveys and claims the US is not at war with Venezuela
Trump: US President Donald Trump said that the US is not at war with Venezuela and would not advocate for elections there anytime soon, citing the need to stabilize the nation and rebuild its infrastructure in the wake of Nicolas Maduro’s detention.
In a special interview with NBC News, Trump said that Venezuela will not conduct elections for another 30 days because the situation there made voting impractical. Trump said, “We have to fix the country first.” “If people are unable to cast ballots, an election cannot take place.”
According to Trump, Washington is concentrating on reestablishing fundamental order and reviving the economy. He said that the transformation will need time, saying, “We have to nurse the country back to health.”
According to the president, the reconstruction of Venezuela’s energy infrastructure could be completed in less than 18 months, with US oil corporations playing a key role. Although he acknowledged that the United States may fund some of the initiative, he maintained that oil firms would ultimately be responsible for paying for it and getting their money back.
“The oil companies will have to spend a huge amount of money, and they will be reimbursed by us or through revenue,” Trump said.
Trump denied allegations that the US and Venezuela are at war. “No,” he responded, “we’re not.” “We are at war with drug dealers. We are at war with those that bring their drug users, mental hospitals, and jails into our nation.
He blamed Venezuela’s government for the country’s demise, accusing them of exporting instability and criminality. Maduro was apprehended during a US operation in Caracas and subsequently charged with cocaine importation conspiracy and narco-terrorism plot in New York.
Trump claimed that Rodríguez had been working with US authorities, but he disputed that Washington and her side had spoken before to Maduro’s overthrow.
“No, that’s not the case,” Trump said, adding that a decision about the continuation of sanctions against Rodríguez will be made shortly.
Trump responded with a single phrase when asked who is ultimately in control of Venezuela: “Me.”
According to Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in close contact with Venezuela’s leadership, saying that Rubio “speaks to her fluently in Spanish” and that they have a “very strong relationship.”
Additionally, Trump said that while he does not think it would be required, the United States is ready to conduct a second military intervention if collaboration falls down. He said, “We’re ready to do it.” “In fact, we were expecting to do it.”
Trump said that legislators were aware of US efforts, dismissing charges that he neglected to get legislative permission for the operation. “We have good congressional support,” he claimed, refusing to specify who was aware of what or when.