In a recent CNN interview, White House advisor Stephen Miller elaborated on President Trump’s assertion that the U.S. is in charge of Venezuela, emphasizing the reality of U.S. influence through military presence, embargoes, and control over terms during a transitional period following U.S. operations in the region.
Background on U.S. Involvement in Venezuela
The United States has recently conducted operations related to Venezuela, including stationing military forces outside the country and imposing a complete embargo on Venezuelan oil and commerce. These actions have positioned the U.S. to set terms and conditions for the nation’s activities during a transition period.
Stephen Miller’s Appearance on CNN
During the interview with CNN host Jake Tapper, broadcast from the White House, Miller addressed the president’s statements directly. The discussion focused on the implications of U.S. control, with on-screen graphics highlighting “Trump Insists the U.S. is ‘In Charge’ of Venezuela.”
Key Statements from Miller
Miller began by affirming the president’s position, stating, “What the president said is true, the United States of America is running Venezuela, by definition that’s true.” He contextualized this within global realities, adding, “Jake, we live in a world in which you can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else but we live in a world, in the real world Jake where the world is governed by strength, force and power.”
When pressed further, Miller clarified the extent of U.S. involvement: “No, what I’m saying is one level above that, what I’m saying by definition we are in charge, because we have the United States military stationed outside the country. We set the terms and conditions. We have a complete embargo on all of their oil, and their ability to do commerce… The United States is running the country during this transition period. Obviously, that doesn’t mean that President Trump is setting the bus fare schedule inside the country.”
