ASIATODAY.ID, WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump has sparked global outrage after openly declaring his intention to “run” Venezuela following a US military intervention that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
Trump argued that Venezuela must first be restored to “law and order” and economic discipline before any future elections can be considered.
Speaking to the New York Post on Sunday, Trump dismissed comparisons between the Venezuela operation and past US military quagmires in Iraq or Afghanistan. Instead, he framed the intervention as a rescue mission for what he described as a nation ruined by decades of socialist rule.
“We should run the country properly. We should run the country with law and order,” Trump said. “We should run the country where we can take advantage of the economics of what they have – valuable oil and other valuable resources.”
The remarks have reinforced accusations that Venezuela’s vast oil reserves and strategic assets are central to Washington’s objectives.
Power Vacuum and Rising Tensions in Caracas
Amid the political upheaval, Venezuela’s Supreme Court formally appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as acting president to ensure the “continuity of the state” and the “defense of sovereignty.”
Rodriguez confirmed she had spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but emphasized Venezuela’s readiness for “respectful relations” while firmly rejecting foreign domination.
“Venezuela will never return to being the colony of another empire, and it will never be a nation of slaves,” she said.
Trump, however, issued a direct warning, claiming Rodriguez could face consequences worse than Maduro’s if she failed to comply with US demands. Maduro is currently being held in a New York jail after his forcible removal by US troops.
Elections Sidelined, Opposition Figures Rejected
Trump made clear that elections are not a priority in Venezuela and refused to endorse any opposition leader, including Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who had openly supported US military action.
“I don’t think she has the support of the people,” Trump said. “She could only win an election if I supported her.”
The statement has fueled criticism that Washington’s actions amount to regime change rather than democratic restoration.
Global Backlash from China, Russia, and the Global South
The US operation has triggered sharp condemnation worldwide. China denounced the intervention as a “hegemonic act” that violates international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty. Brazil, a fellow BRICS member, said Washington had “crossed an unacceptable line.”
Russia expressed “firm solidarity” with Caracas, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterating Moscow’s support for Venezuela’s national sovereignty. Similar concerns were voiced by India, North Korea, and several Global South nations, all warning of a dangerous precedent in Latin America.
Venezuela at the Center of a New Geopolitical Confrontation
With Trump openly asserting that the United States should “run” Venezuela, the crisis has evolved into a flashpoint for global geopolitics, where energy security, sovereignty, and great-power rivalry collide.
Venezuela is no longer just a domestic political crisis—it has become a test case for the emerging multipolar world order. (AT Network)
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