Trump Pressures Venezuela’s “Interim President” to Cooperate with the United States
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, of facing severe consequences if she does not cooperate with Washington following the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro in a military operation.
In a phone interview with the American magazine “The Atlantic,” Trump stated: “Unless you do the right thing, you will pay a very heavy price, perhaps even greater than Maduro,” who was captured by U.S. special forces in a surprise operation on Saturday.
U.S. officials, including Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, hinted at the possibility of collaborating with remaining members of Maduro’s administration; however, this would require them to take the “right steps,” such as allowing American companies to benefit from the country’s vast oil reserves.
On Saturday, Trump confirmed that the U.S. would “manage” Venezuela during a transitional phase, despite previously criticizing U.S. foreign policy that often sought to overthrow regimes and rebuild nations.
In his conversation with “The Atlantic,” Trump emphasized: “Rebuilding there and changing the regime—call it what you will—is better than what currently exists.”
The American president added: “Reconstruction is not a bad thing in the case of Venezuela… The country has hit rock bottom. It is a failed state… It is in a catastrophic situation in all aspects.”
Trump reiterated his desire for Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, to become part of the United States, stating: “We definitely need Greenland. We need it for security.”
When asked whether the military operation in Venezuela indicated what the U.S. might do in Greenland, Trump replied: “They will have to see that for themselves. I don’t really know.”
