Trump is ‘dictating’ policy to interim leadership of Venezuela after Maduro capture
White House insists US is in control of Venezuela despite acting president’s remarks
- The White House claims to be in charge of Venezuela’s government, contradicting assertions from the country’s newly-appointed acting president.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. is in close coordination with Venezuela's interim authorities and exercising “maximum leverage” over the Caracas government, saying, “Their decisions are going to continue to be dictated by the United States of America.”
- Leavitt's remarks contradict statements by Delcy Rodriguez, the former Venezuelan vice president now serving as acting president, who claims her administration is independent with no foreign agent governing the country.
- President Donald Trump ordered Maduro's capture and claimed the U.S. would “run” Venezuela, reportedly consenting to Rodriguez taking power due to her military support, rather than opposition figures like María Corina Machado.
- Trump’s claims confused some U.S. politicians, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted the administration has a detailed plan for Venezuela.