US President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington earned significant financial returns from Venezuela’s oil sector following a swift military operation targeting former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News after returning from China, Trump described the operation as a rapid military success, claiming it lasted less than an hour.
“I built during my first four years the most powerful military in the world that was shown in Venezuela,” Trump said, adding that the mission concluded in “48 minutes and 13 seconds.”
Trump acknowledged Venezuela’s military strength but argued that US forces quickly secured control during the operation. He also claimed the United States had generated substantial profits through Venezuelan oil production since the intervention.
“By the way, we have made a fortune with their oil,” Trump stated, while also asserting that Venezuela’s economy had improved in recent months.
The US president further addressed Cuba during the interview, suggesting Washington could increase its influence over the island nation. Trump described Cuba as a struggling state facing deep economic challenges and said its government was increasingly reliant on US assistance.
Referring to the recently announced $100 million humanitarian aid package for Cuba, Trump said Havana had accepted the support because the country urgently needed outside help.
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