In today’s White House press briefing, the first since the arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to questions about the U.S. involvement in Venezuela’s governance. The briefing came on the heels of a U.S. military operation that captured Maduro, marking a significant shift in the region’s dynamics.
A reporter raised a point of clarification, noting that the U.S. president has been adamant about being in charge of Venezuela. However, Delcy Rodríguez, a Venezuelan official, stated that the government of Venezuela runs the country and that “there is no external agent governing Venezuela.” The reporter asked, “Which one is it?”
Leavitt began her response by emphasizing the context of the briefing. “Let me be very clear. This is the first time I have addressed Venezuela from the podium since being back and since the historic and incredibly successful military operation, law enforcement operation conducted by our United States military that you saw and the world witnessed last week.”
She highlighted the capabilities demonstrated in the operation. “The skill, the might of the United States military and our country under the leadership of this president is almost full display to the rest of the world. Let’s just set the record straight, there isn’t another military in the world who could have pulled off this operation. There is not another president in the world or in our nation’s history who had the courage to authorize such a mission. I think the world has taken notice that America is truly back.”
Turning specifically to Venezuela, Leavitt explained the administration’s position. “With respect to Venezuela, the Trump administration led by secretary Rubio, the vice president and the presidents entire national security team is in close correspondence with the interim authorities in Venezuela. We obviously have maximum leverage over the interim authorities in Venezuela right now.”
She outlined the president’s priorities for the country. “The president has made it very clear that this is a country within the United States, the western hemisphere, close by the United States that is no longer going to be sending illegal drugs to the United States of America. It’s no longer going to be sending and trafficking illegal people and criminal cartels to kill American citizens as they have in the past.”
Leavitt concluded by reaffirming the administration’s approach. “The president is fully deploying his peace through strength foreign policy agenda so we continue to be enclosed.”
The exchange underscores the U.S. administration’s stance on leveraging its influence in Venezuela amid the transition following Maduro’s arrest.
