Trump Vows U.S. Will 'Run' Venezuela, Reopen Oil Fields

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has said that, if elected, his administration would "run" Venezuela and allow American oil companies to operate there. He made the statement while discussing the potential capture of the country's current leader, Nicolas Maduro. "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," Trump said at a press conference. The remarks outline a direct approach to Venezuela, which has the world's largest proven oil reserves. Its oil industry is currently under U.S. sanctions and controlled by the state. Trump's plan implies a major shift in policy, prioritizing the reopening of oil production through private firms. The proposal assumes the removal of President Maduro, whose 2018 re-election is not recognized by the United States and dozens of other countries. No timeline or specific method for such a transition was provided.