‘We’re In Charge’: Trump Pushes For ‘Total Access’ To Venezuela’s Oil After US Action

Last Updated:January 05, 2026, 08:13 IST

Donald Trump described Venezuela as “a dead country right now,” saying it was an example of what the US would have become had he lost the election.

Trump said US companies are ready to build oil infrastructure in Venezuela. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump made a series of remarks following US action in Venezuela’s capital, declaring that Washington was now effectively “in charge" and calling for unrestricted access to the country’s oil sector. Speaking about the operation, Trump said one of the helicopters involved was “hit pretty badly," but added that “we got everything back, and nobody was killed."

When asked who was in control after the developments in Venezuela, Trump said, “Don’t ask me who’s in charge because I’ll give you an answer and it’ll be very controversial," before adding, “It means we’re in charge."

He described Venezuela as “a dead country right now," saying it was an example of what the US would have become had he lost the election. “We would have been a dead country, like Venezuela on steroids," he said.

Trump also focused heavily on Venezuela’s oil sector, saying the country needs massive investment to revive its infrastructure. “We need big investments from the oil companies to bring back the infrastructure. The oil companies are ready to go and rebuild the infrastructure," he said, adding that the US had originally built much of it.

News world ‘We’re In Charge’: Trump Pushes For ‘Total Access’ To Venezuela’s Oil After US Action Against Maduro

Read More