US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks to reporters after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, May 15, 2026. (AFP Photo)
May 16, 2026 10:29 AM GMT+03:00
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington carried out a rapid military operation in Venezuela targeting former President Nicolas Maduro and claimed the U.S. has since “made a fortune” from Venezuelan oil.
Trump made the remarks Friday in an interview with Fox News after visiting China, saying the operation to oust Maduro lasted “48 minutes and 13 seconds.”
“I built during my first four years the most powerful military in the world that was shown in Venezuela,” Trump said.
DEA agents escort Nicolas Maduro to New York City courthouse, US, January 5, 2026. (Photo via Fox News)
Trump claims rapid Venezuela operation
Trump said Venezuela had a strong military but that the U.S. operation ended quickly.
“It’s a strong country with a strong military, but it went very quickly,” he said.
Trump also claimed that Washington had benefited financially from Venezuelan oil after the operation.
“By the way, we have made a fortune with their oil,” he said.
He also said Caracas had made “more money in the last eight months than they’ve made in the last 10 years.”
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Trump comments on Cuba
Asked about the situation in Cuba, Trump said, “I think we’ll be turning it.”
He described Cuba as “a totally failed nation” and said he believed Cuban authorities would have to turn to Washington.
“I think they’re gonna have to come to us,” Trump said.
Referring to the recently announced U.S. offer of $100 million in humanitarian aid for Cuba, Trump said Havana was accepting the assistance.
“They are taking the aid; they want aid. They need help,” he said.
May 16, 2026 10:29 AM GMT+03:00