Venezuela Invites U.S. Collaboration After Trump Declares Control

Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, is calling for talks with the United States after President Nicolás Maduro was captured and U.S. President Donald Trump declared Washington would “run” the country.

In a public message, Rodríguez said, “We invite the U.S. government to collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation oriented towards shared development within the framework of international law.”

Her comments come as the U.S. makes an aggressive push to influence Venezuela’s political future. 

Opposition leader María Corina Machado, who won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, had been widely seen as a possible successor. But during a Saturday briefing, Trump dismissed her, saying she lacked the “respect” needed to lead Venezuela.

Trump says his administration is focused on keeping the country stable and repairing Venezuela’s oil industry, rather than moving quickly toward elections. Oil sanctions will remain in place, and U.S. military forces will continue operating near Venezuela.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Secretary‑General’s office said it is “deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela” and raised concerns about whether international law was respected in actions taken by the Trump administration.