In a dramatic turn of events in Latin America, US President Donald Trump issued a strongly worded warning to Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, threatening her with a "heavy price" that could exceed what jailed President Nicolas Maduro faced, if she does not show full cooperation with the US administration in the next phase.
The difficult choice: cooperation or an uncertain fate
Trump's remarks came during an exclusive interview with the American magazine "The Atlantic," where he made it clear that the options for the remaining leadership in Caracas are now extremely limited. "Unless you do the right thing, you're going to pay a very heavy price, perhaps even more than Maduro," Trump said, referring to the surprise military operation carried out by US special forces that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife last Saturday.
These statements point to an American strategy aimed at dismantling what remains of the old regime by directly pressuring its current symbols, while leaving the door ajar for those who decide to cooperate with Washington to secure a smooth transition.
Oil for legitimacy: Washington's terms
In a related development, senior US administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have hinted at the possibility of working with remaining officials from the Maduro era, but under strict conditions. Chief among these conditions is "taking the right steps," which primarily includes allowing US companies to return and exploit Venezuela's vast oil reserves.
Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but its energy sector has suffered near-total collapse due to mismanagement, sanctions, and corruption, making control of this resource vital to any future reconstruction and to U.S. interests in the region.
Venezuela under US administration: The end of a "failed state"
Trump asserted that the United States was poised to take over the administration of Venezuela during a transitional period, justifying this direct intervention—which seemingly contradicts his previous criticisms of regime change policies—by claiming that the situation in Venezuela had reached a "hellish" stage. He described the country as a "failed state in every sense of the word," arguing that any regime change and reconstruction would be preferable to the current tragic reality.
The Venezuelan people have been suffering for years from a suffocating humanitarian crisis, characterized by hyperinflation, severe shortages of food and medicine, and the migration of millions of citizens to neighboring countries, which Washington is using as a moral and political cover for its current intervention.
Between Caracas and Greenland: Geopolitical Ambitions
In discussing the expansion of American influence, Trump reiterated his desire to annex Greenland, a territory belonging to Denmark, emphasizing its importance to US national security. When asked whether the military intervention in Venezuela served as a model for what might happen with Greenland, Trump left the door open to speculation, saying, "They'll have to see for themselves. I really don't know." This raises questions about the new doctrine of US foreign policy, which blends military intervention with strategic economic interests.
