1:01:07President Donald Trump speaks to the press during a news briefing at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Florida.Joe Raedle/Getty Images
During a Saturday morning press conference at Mar-a-Lago, shortly after he ordered a military operation in Venezuela and the capture of the nation’s president, Nicolas Maduro, as well as his wife, President Donald Trump initially referred to it as an anti-drug law enforcement initiative.
His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated, "At its essence, this was the apprehension of two fugitives indicted by American law."
However, Trump’s characterization swiftly broadened as he astonished listeners by claiming that the U.S. would "manage the country" temporarily, even if it meant deploying troops, that American firms would soon begin extracting the nation’s vast oil reserves, and that this was part of a broader strategy for U.S. supremacy in the Western Hemisphere.
While Trump asserted that the U.S. would "revitalize Venezuela," when pressed for details regarding America’s involvement, including a potential timeline, Trump provided minimal specifics.
President Donald Trump conducts a press conference following a U.S. military action in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 3, 2026.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
"We will be managing it with a team, ensuring it is administered correctly. We will restore the oil infrastructure, which will require billions of dollars. This will be funded directly by the oil companies. They will receive compensation for their efforts, but it will be covered," Trump explained.
Subsequently, a U.S. official informed ABC News about what it would entail for the U.S. to "manage" Venezuela.
The official indicated that senior Trump administration officials would maintain diplomatic relations with those still in the Venezuelan government, that the administration would engage with oil executives to initiate oil expansion in the country, and that the U.S. military would remain positioned and prepared, with the oil embargo still in place.
Potential for American boots on the ground
The president dismissed inquiries concerning the duration and logistics of the U.S. operation.
Trump was questioned about whether American troops would be deployed to "manage" Venezuela and suggested that he might utilize the military to ensure it is managed "correctly."
"Well, you know, they always mention, 'boots on the ground, oh.' We are not concerned about boots on the ground," he stated. "We had boots on the ground last night at a very high level. In fact, we are not hesitant to say it, but we will ensure that the country is administered properly."
President Donald Trump holds a press conference following a U.S. strike on Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured, from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 3, 2026.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
When pressed again later, Trump implied that the only U.S. presence would relate "to oil," indicating that this presence would be American oil companies.
"We will extract a significant amount of wealth from the ground, and that wealth will benefit the people of Venezuela as well as individuals from outside Venezuela who previously resided there, and it will also go to the United States of America in the form of compensation for the damages caused by that country," he stated.
The president also suggested that U.S. forces remain "prepared" to
Sourse: abcnews.go.com