To 'run' Venezuela, Trump presses existing regime to kneel
Los Angeles Times••general
Key Points:
- Top Trump administration officials clarified their intent to control Venezuela by working with interim president Delcy Rodríguez, pressuring her government to comply with U.S. demands on oil access and drug enforcement, or face further military action.
- The U.S. aims to maintain Maduro’s government structure but ensure it becomes subservient to Washington, sidelining Venezuela’s democratic opposition despite their electoral victories recognized internationally.
- President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and others emphasized continuing a naval quarantine on Venezuelan oil tankers as leverage, with Senator Tom Cotton underscoring that new Venezuelan leaders must meet U.S. demands for a pro-American government and new elections.
- Maduro was captured and flown to New York for federal charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking
