Could he be right?
A longtime foreign-policy insider is shedding new light on what may have happened behind the scenes after President Donald Trump made headlines with unexpected remarks about Venezuela following the capture of socialist strongman Nicolás Maduro.
According to former Trump administration official Elliott Abrams, the president’s comments suggesting the United States could “run” Venezuela may not have reflected a fully developed policy — and may have surprised even senior officials inside the federal government.
Former Envoy Says Planning Was Limited
Appearing Sunday on CNN, Abrams explained that the highly sensitive operation leading to Maduro’s detention required strict secrecy, limiting how widely the plan was shared.
He said that while operational security was necessary, it likely meant that broader post-operation planning was minimal.
“I don’t think many people across the government knew this was coming,” Abrams said, noting that secrecy often restricts advance coordination.
U.S. ‘Cannot Run’ Venezuela, Abrams Says
Abrams was direct in rejecting the idea that the United States should attempt to govern Venezuela, calling such a move impractical and unrealistic.
He argued that Venezuela’s size, population, and deep economic damage from years of socialist rule make direct U.S. management unworkable.
Instead, Abrams said American leadership should focus on diplomatic pressure and democratic restoration — not occupation or administration from Washington.
Call to Remove Foreign Influence
The former envoy outlined what he believes should be the immediate priorities for U.S. policy.
According to Abrams, Washington should push for the removal of Cuban and Iranian operatives from Venezuela, demand the release of political prisoners, and support democratic leadership chosen by Venezuelan voters.
He specifically referenced opposition leader Edmundo González, whom Abrams said won Venezuela’s 2024 election by a decisive margin.
“The individual who won the election should be president,” Abrams said, arguing that U.S. support should focus on lawful, democratic outcomes.
‘Off-the-Cuff’ Presidential Comment?
Abrams also suggested that President Trump’s use of the word “run” may have been spontaneous rather than the result of a formal interagency policy review.
“Nobody else was using that term,” Abrams explained. “It didn’t look like something drafted through a long bureaucratic process.”
He added that governing a nation of roughly 25 million people — one larger than twice the size of California — would present enormous logistical and political challenges.
Supporters Say Trump’s Message Was Still Clear
While critics point to Abrams’ remarks as evidence of internal uncertainty, supporters of President Trump argue that the broader message remains unmistakable.
They say Trump’s decisive posture sends a strong signal to hostile regimes: the United States will no longer tolerate narco-states, foreign interference, or authoritarian leaders destabilizing the Western Hemisphere.
For many conservatives, especially older Americans who remember the Cold War and failed socialist states, the episode reinforces a familiar lesson — strong leadership matters, but lasting change comes from restoring lawful self-government, not running other nations from Washington.