President Donald Trump signaled to The New York Times that the US will remain engaged in Venezuela for the long term, citing the nation's inability to conduct immediate elections. To manage this transition, he has appointed a cadre of high-ranking aides. Following the arraignment of ousted President Nicolás Maduro in New York and the installation of a new regime in Caracas, Trump described the Venezuelan government as "cooperating" but insisted there was "no way" balloting could occur within the month.
"No, it's going to take a period of time," Trump told The New York Times, emphasizing the magnitude of the task. "We have to nurse the country back to health." Meanwhile, Delcy Rodríguez – the former vice president under Maduro – was sworn in as interim leader. She proposed a "cooperative agenda" with Washington but simultaneously condemned what she termed "illegitimate military aggression."
Trump has thrown his support behind Rodríguez rather than opposition figure María Corina Machado, whom he views as lacking sufficient backing. Machado, however, claimed in a separate interview that her coalition would secure over 90% of the vote in fair polls. Despite praising Trump, Machado warned that Rodríguez was the "architect" of the prior government's repression, according to The New York Times.
The president has formed an oversight team including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, with Vice President JD Vance also contributing. While Miller indicated Rubio would lead – aligning with the secretary's history of opposing Maduro – Trump gave a concise answer when The New York Times asked who the "top person" was: "Me."
In a Manhattan courtroom, Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges, claiming he was "kidnapped" by US forces. Rodríguez echoed this, stating he remains president and is a hostage. The UN human rights office criticized the intervention as "a violation of international law," while The New York Times reports that Venezuelans in the US feel a mix of relief and anxiety, fearing potential deportations of asylum seekers.
Lawmakers remain divided. Senior officials will brief the full Senate on Wednesday following an initial classified session where partisan splits emerged regarding the raid's legality. Simultaneously, Venezuela faces economic collapse from the blockade. The New York Times notes that Rubio confirmed oil tankers will remain blocked until the sector opens to foreign investment.
At a GOP retreat, Trump praised the mission and recalled his annoyance with Maduro. "He gets up there and he tries to imitate my dance a little bit," Trump said. Separately, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen urged the US to "seek respectful dialogue through the correct diplomatic and political channels," after Trump repeated threats to acquire the island.
"Our country isn't something you can deny or take over because you want to," Nielsen asserted, warning that "very basic international principles are being challenged." Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also addressed US posture, acknowledging that labeling fentanyl a "weapon of mass destruction" provides "more elements" for intervention but insisting: "But that doesn't mean it's going to happen," according to The New York Times. When asked if the risk remains remote, she replied: "Yes."
As demands for transparency grow, a high-level briefing featuring Rubio, Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe is set for Wednesday. Meanwhile, European leaders issued a joint statement with Denmark, affirming that "Greenland belongs to its people," while calling the US "an essential partner," The New York Times reports.
Trump clarified to the outlet that the US is not at war but will remain involved. When asked about the timeline for democracy, he was dismissive. "We have to fix the country first," he said. "There's no way the people could even vote."
