- After Maduro’s arrest, Venezuela is led by interim president Delcy Rodríguez.
- Trump emphasized that Cuba faces economic difficulties without Venezuelan oil.
- The American president once again expressed his interest in acquiring Greenland for the USA.
US President Donald Trump insisted on Sunday that the US was “running” Venezuela after the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro. According to him, the United States is also dealing with the temporary leadership of Caracas. TASR informs about it based on the AFP report.
“We are dealing with people who have just been sworn in. Don’t ask me who is in charge because when I answer you it will be very controversial,” the head of the White House told reporters aboard Air Force One. “It means we run it,” clarified according to the French agency.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez chaired her first cabinet meeting on Sunday since US troops arrested the country’s president on Saturday, footage from state broadcaster VTV showed. “We consider it a priority to move towards a balanced relationship between the US and Venezuela, based on mutual respect,” Rodriguez wrote on the Telegram platform. “We therefore invite the US government to work together on a plan… aimed at common development,” added.
At the same time, Trump declared on Sunday that Cuba “is on the verge of collapse” after downplaying the need for any US military operation in that country. It will be difficult for Havana to “sustain” without Venezuelan oil, he said. “I don’t think we need to take any action. It looks like it’s going to fall.” Trump declared. The American leader also noted that many members of President Maduro’s Cuban security forces were killed in the US military intervention. According to the Cuban government, there are 32 Cubans.
On board the plane, the US president also reiterated that Greenland should become part of the United States. “From a national security point of view, we need Greenland,” Trump told reporters. This came despite calls from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to stop “threats” directed at the autonomous territory of Denmark.
The Republican also warned Iran of a “severe crackdown” if more protesters were killed during the country’s protests. “We are watching this very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think the United States will hit them very hard.” Trump told reporters. Protests began in Iran on December 28, sparked by the country’s economic situation. According to official reports, at least 12 people, including members of the security forces, have already died in them.
