Donald Trump said he may one day seek office in Venezuela, making the remark in a joking exchange during a cabinet meeting that nonetheless underscored how dramatically U.S. relations with Caracas have shifted since Washington’s January raid that removed Nicolás Maduro from power. Speaking at the White House on 26 March, Trump moved from a…
Donald Trump said he may one day seek office in Venezuela, making the remark in a joking exchange during a cabinet meeting that nonetheless underscored how dramatically U.S. relations with Caracas have shifted since Washington’s January raid that removed Nicolás Maduro from power. Speaking at the White House on 26 March, Trump moved from a discussion about oil revenues and U.S. ties with Venezuela to a boast about his popularity there, saying: “Our relationship with Venezuela has been amazing. The people, actually I’m the highest polling person. And in other words, after the presidency, I think I may go to Venezuela and run for president against Delcy. I may run against Delcy. It’s an option. No, they like me in Venezuela, but it’s an option for me. It’s a wonderful option.” The room laughed, but the comment came in the middle of a serious discussion about the new U.S.-Venezuelan relationship and the future of Maduro, who Trump said will face additional charges in the United States.
The remark was the latest example of Trump publicly tying his own political future, image and personal standing to the upheaval in Venezuela that followed the U.S. operation on 3 January. Reuters has reported that Maduro was captured by U.S. forces during a raid in Caracas and later appeared in New York on drug charges, while Delcy Rodríguez, who had been vice president and oil minister, was sworn in days later as Venezuela’s interim president. At the time, the Trump administration said Maduro’s removal would open the way for a stabilisation effort, economic recovery and eventually a political transition, though the U.S. role in the country immediately drew international scrutiny.