U.S. President Donald Trump announced a plan for American oil companies to take over Venezuela's energy sector following the overthrow of President Nicolas Maduro. Speaking on Saturday, January 3, from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump stated that Venezuela's oil business had been struggling for a prolonged period. He elaborated that large United States oil companies, described as the biggest in the world, would invest billions of dollars to repair the severely damaged oil infrastructure and generate profit for Venezuela.

This significant declaration came hours after U.S. forces reportedly captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a large-scale overnight attack on the South American nation. Maduro and Flores had been indicted on drug-trafficking charges in the Southern District of New York. Regarding the future of Venezuela, Trump also indicated that the U.S. would "run the country" temporarily, until a safe, proper, and judicious transition could be established.