“We Have to Fix the Country First”: Trump Delays Decision for Next Leader in Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday that Venezuela will not hold elections in the next 30 days, two days after American forces captured Nicolás Maduro and transferred him to the United States. Trump said the country first needs stabilization, as Venezuela moves under interim leadership.

The comments mark the clearest articulation yet of Washington’s approach following Maduro’s removal: no near-term elections, U.S. oversight of the transition, and a push to rebuild Venezuela’s oil sector.

Earlier yesterday, Delcy Rodríguez, who served as vice president under Maduro, was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president. She took office following a ruling by the country’s supreme court after Maduro was captured by U.S. forces and flown to New York, where he made his first court appearance.

Rodríguez was sworn in by her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, who was earlier sworn in as president of Venezuela’s National Assembly. In a televised address, she said she assumed the role “with sorrow,” describing Maduro’s capture as an “illegitimate military aggression.” She said she would not rest until Venezuela reached its “destiny” as a free and sovereign nation, calling on Venezuelans to move the country forward during a period of instability.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump said elections could not be held in the near term. “We have to fix the country first,” he said. “You can’t have an election. There’s no way the people could even vote.” He added that rebuilding Venezuela would “take a period of time,” saying the United States would have to “nurse the country back to health.”

Trump also outlined a potential U.S.-backed effort to rebuild Venezuela’s energy infrastructure. He said oil companies could lead the project, which he suggested could take less than 18 months, with companies later reimbursed by the U.S. government or through oil revenues. “A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent,” he said.

Despite the military operation that removed Maduro, Trump insisted the United States is not at war with Venezuela. “No, we’re not,” he said. “We’re at war with people that sell drugs,” accusing Venezuelan authorities of exporting crime, drug trafficking, and instability.

Trump said a group of senior U.S. officials would oversee America’s involvement in Venezuela, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and Vice President JD Vance. Asked who ultimately was in charge of Venezuela’s transition, Trump gave a one-word answer: “Me.”

Trump said Rodríguez has been cooperating with U.S. officials but denied there was coordination with her camp before Maduro’s removal. He said a decision would soon be made on whether to maintain or lift existing U.S. sanctions against her. Trump warned that the United States could launch a second military incursion if cooperation ends. “We’re prepared to do it,” he said, adding that U.S. officials initially expected further action might already be necessary.

At the same time, Washington has made clear it is not backing Venezuela’s opposition leader, María Corina Machado, to lead the country. Trump rejected a Washington Post report that her Nobel Peace Prize influenced that decision. “She should not have won it,” he said, adding that it played no role.

Machado, speaking briefly to Fox News host Sean Hannity, said she plans to return to Venezuela “as soon as possible” after months in hiding, which she said was “more useful” while it was unsafe to return. She warned of an escalation “just today,” saying 14 journalists had been detained, and said Rodríguez “can’t be trusted.” Reflecting on her election against Maduro, Machado said they defeated him “by a landslide.” Speaking about Maduro, she said “he absolutely controlled the system and the electoral council,” making it impossible to hold independent elections in Venezuela. Machado also praised Trump’s actions, saying he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize and calling the U.S. move a “huge step for humanity.”