Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the United States' oversight in Venezuela could persist for 'much longer' than a year, according to an interview published by The New York Times. These remarks, reported by Reuters and corroborated by numerous news outlets, emerged shortly after a significant U.S. military operation on January 3, 2026, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump explicitly mentioned plans for the U.S. to control Venezuela's vast oil resources, intending to "rebuild it in a very profitable way" and "be taking oil." He noted that the U.S. was "getting along very well" with the interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, a figure who had served under Maduro. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly in constant communication with this interim administration. The U.S. administration's strategy, as detailed in the interview, includes refining and selling up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil previously held under a U.S. blockade. This move signifies a direct coordination between Washington and the current Venezuelan government following Maduro's capture. The intervention, including Maduro's capture and the subsequent U.S. declarations, marks a dramatic escalation in the long-strained relations between the two countries, with the U.S. asserting a long-term role in managing Venezuela's political transition and economic recovery. The statements underscore a continued assertive foreign policy towards Venezuela, with potential far-reaching implications for regional stability and global energy markets.