Washington, Jan 9 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump stated on Thursday night that the United States will take charge of Venezuela's recovery and oil industry prior to any elections, contending that years of deterioration under Nicolas Maduro have rendered the nation incapable of holding a vote.

Trump shared these insights during an interview on Fox News’ Hannity, marking his first television appearance since the US operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture.

“It wasn’t a hard choice,” Trump remarked when questioned about his actions against Maduro. “Both Democrats and Republicans supported him, yet no one had the resolve to act.”

He accused Maduro of exporting criminals and narcotics into the United States. “He released inmates into the United States,” Trump claimed. “He also discharged patients from mental health facilities into our country.”

Trump noted that US interventions have significantly curtailed maritime drug trafficking. “We’ve eliminated 97% of the drugs entering by sea,” he declared. “Currently, there are very few vessels operating. You can hardly find any.”

He revealed that US forces executed the Venezuelan operation without any fatalities. “We successfully apprehended Maduro without losing a soldier,” Trump stated. “We didn’t lose a single person.”

He acknowledged that some US personnel sustained injuries. “A few courageous helicopter pilots were injured quite seriously,” Trump mentioned. “But they’re recovering well.”

Trump portrayed the operation as profoundly perilous. “The target was located within a fortified area with thousands of soldiers,” he explained. “We penetrated deep into a secure zone. Who would believe that could be done without casualties?”

He commended the US commanders and senior officials involved. “General Razin Caine and Pete Hegseth were remarkable,” Trump praised. “Marco has been doing an excellent job. The vice president, the entire team.”

Trump asserted that the United States now controls Venezuela’s oil sector. “We are set to restore the oil and its infrastructure,” he affirmed. “We will oversee it.”

He indicated that billions of dollars’ worth of oil has already been secured under US control. “We seized $4 billion worth of oil in just one day,” Trump revealed. “That number will grow.”

Trump mentioned that major US oil companies are poised to assist in the revitalization of Venezuela’s energy landscape. “The top 14 firms are on board,” he stated. “They will reconstruct the entire oil infrastructure.”

Regarding elections, Trump noted they would occur at a later date. “They wouldn’t even know how to hold an election right now,” he commented. “The nation has descended into a third-world status.”

He confirmed that political prisoners are being released. “Individuals that no one thought they would ever see again are being freed,” Trump noted.

Trump emphasized that the United States will maintain its involvement until Venezuela achieves stability. “We’re committed to being there until the country is set right,” he assured.

He argued that rehabilitating Venezuela’s oil sector would positively impact global markets. “This will lower oil prices globally,” Trump stated. “Which is beneficial for everyone.”

Trump concluded by linking the situation in Venezuela to broader US security objectives. “We aim to prevent drugs from flooding into our nation,” he stated. “We want to keep harmful individuals out of our country.”