WASHINGTON: The United States could run Venezuela and tap into its oil reserves for years, President Donald Trump said in an interview published Thursday, less than a week after toppling its leader Nicolas Maduro. “Only time will tell” how long Washington would demand direct oversight of the South American country, Trump told The New York Times. But when asked whether that meant three months, six months or a year, he replied: “I would say much longer.” The 79-year-old US leader also said he wanted to travel to Venezuela eventually. “I think at some point it’ll be safe,” he said.

The Guardian’s Tom Phillips, reporting from the region, explains the truth behind the Trump attack and what we could expect to happen next.

“I don't think any large U.S. major company is going to want to invest without a series of guarantees,” one historian of Venezuela said.

Energy experts say reviving Venezuela’s oil industry could be a decade-long process, and could cost upwards of $100 billion.

Doubling Venezuela's weakened oil flows could cost $110 billion and take until 2030.

Trump is open about his ambitions for scaled-up US operations, but analysts say such plans would take time.

In the 1990s, Venezuelan society became further split between the wealthy, who wanted to work with the US, and the working class, who didn't.

Trump's announcement came days after U.S. forces attacked Venezuela and captured its leader, Nicolas Maduro, to be prosecuted on drug-trafficking charges.

The US president, in a post Tuesday on Truth Social, said he will 'ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.'

Venezuela will be turning over tens of millions of barrels of oil to the United States, President Donald Trump said Tuesday, days after the U.S. military seized the president of…

US president says he will control oil sales, proceeds, as Venezuela's Rodriguez pledges no 'foreign agent' is in charge.

Trump administration announcement comes as UN experts warn Venezuela's oil reserves 'must not be cynically exploited'.

Donald Trump ha affermato al New York Times che il controllo degli Stati Uniti sul Venezuela potrebbe durare anni, "solo il tempo ce lo dirà". (ANSA)

Donald Trump ha affermato al New York Times che il controllo degli Stati Uniti sul Venezuela potrebbe durare anni, "solo il tempo ce lo dirà". (ANSA)

Die Zukunft von Venezuela ist ungewiss. Jetzt äußerte sich aber Donald Trump in einem Interview mit der „New York Times“. Die USA wollen lange die Aufsicht über das…

Venezuela’s interior minister says US operation to abduct Maduro killed 100 people and wounded dozens.

The Trump administration said Washington will dictate decisions in Caracas and oversee Venezuela's oil exports after the US seizure of president Nicolas Maduro.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview published Thursday that Washington could oversee Venezuela and control its oil revenues for years....

The US president says only time would tell how long his administration will be involved in the running of the country.

WASHINGTON: The United States could run Venezuela and tap into its oil reserves for years, President Donald Trump said in an interview published Thursday, less than a week after…

US oil company executives are expected to meet with Trump to discuss investments in Venezuela's oil sector.