Trump Says He Might Become Venezuela’s President After Leaving the White House
During a press conference, Donald Trump made a lighthearted remark, saying he could achieve higher popularity ratings in Venezuela than any of its current leaders. His comment came months after U.S. forces reportedly detained Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in January, bringing them to the United States to face charges related to alleged drug-trafficking cases.
Donald Trump jokingly suggested that he might consider running for the presidency of Venezuela after completing his current term in the White House. He claimed that if he were to enter the race, he could become one of the most popular candidates in the South American country.
Trump made the remarks during a press conference focused on the successful rescue of a U.S. Air Force officer after a fighter jet was shot down over Iran. While discussing the mission, the U.S. president also used the opportunity to highlight what he described as broader successes in American foreign policy, including the swift resolution of tensions involving Venezuela.
During the briefing, Trump said he believed he enjoyed considerable popularity among Venezuelans and joked that he might run for president there once his work in the United States is complete. He remarked in a lighthearted tone that his poll ratings in Venezuela could surpass those of any leader in the country’s history.
His comments came against the backdrop of a dramatic development earlier this year. In January, U.S. forces reportedly detained Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, bringing them to the United States to face charges related to alleged drug trafficking.
Trump added that many people in Venezuela had told him that if he contested the presidency there, his popularity would exceed that of any previous leader. “So when I finish my job here, I might go to Venezuela,” he said, adding humorously that he would quickly learn Spanish and run for office.
He also noted that, for now, he was satisfied with the current leadership in the country. Following Maduro’s reported arrest on January 3, Delcy Rodríguez assumed responsibilities as acting president.
During the same press conference, Trump claimed that the conflict involving Venezuela was resolved in “about 45 minutes” and asserted that the United States had secured hundreds of millions of barrels of oil from the country. According to him, the oil is being refined in Houston, and the proceeds have already covered the costs associated with the conflict.
Trump also used the briefing to highlight what he described as strategic gains for the United States from the Venezuela situation. He suggested that the standoff with Iran could also end decisively, even claiming at one point that Iran could be defeated “in a single night.”