US oversight of Venezuela could last many years: Trump

US President Donald Trump said that the United States expects to oversee Venezuela and extract oil from the countryrsquos vast reserves for years Trumprsquos statement after the conflict between the two countries signalled a prolonged American role with no clear end date following the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas MaduroWhile speaking to the press US President Donald Trump said Only time will tell how long Washington will maintain direct oversight of VenezuelaTrump also indicated that it would be ldquomuch longerrdquo than months The US President further said ldquoWe will rebuild it in a very profitable way and wersquore going to be using oil and wersquore going to be taking oilrdquo reported IANSUS plans to control the sale of Venezuelan oil indefinitelyTrump also hinted that the United States is planning to control the sale of Venezuelan oil indefinitely an approach he described as necessary to stabilise the country and lower global energy prices ldquoWersquore getting oil prices down and wersquore going to be giving money to Venezuela which they desperately needrdquo Trump addedThe statements from US President Donald Trump came hours after administration officials told Congress that the US would effectively assume control of selling Venezuelan oil as part of a threephase plan outlined by Secretary of State Marco RubioRepublicans have largely backed the approach whereas leaders of the Democratic Party have warned it risks turning into a longterm intervention without clear legal authorityTrump stays shut when asked about elections in VenezuelaTrump declined to say when elections would be held in Venezuela and avoided questions about why Washington recognised Madurorsquos vice president Delcy Rodriacuteguez as the countryrsquos interim leader instead of backing opposition figuresDonald Trump also emphasised that it would take years to revive Venezuelarsquos neglected oil sector ldquoThe oil will take a whilerdquo he further addedAsked what might prompt the deployment of US ground troops Trump refused to give specifics stating that ldquoI canrsquot tell you that I really wouldnrsquot want to tell you thatrdquoStating that ldquoTheyrsquore giving us everything that we feel is necessaryrdquo Donald Trump insisted that Venezuelarsquos current leadership is cooperating with Washington despite public criticismThe statement by US President Donald Trump underscores his focus on the successful military operation that captured Maduro even as questions mount in Washington about the duration cost and consequences of the US role in VenezuelaWith inputs from IANS