“It means we set the terms. President Trump sets the terms. And ultimately he’ll decide what the iterations are of that,” Hegseth said. “Ultimately we’re gonna control what happens next because of this brave decision. President Trump has shown American leadership and he’ll be able to dictate where we go next.”

The war secretary said the next steps will see the Trump administration’s crackdown on drug trafficking and illegal immigration in Venezuela continue, as well as guaranteeing the return of “stolen” oil to the U.S. The blockade Trump imposed on oil tankers going in and out of the country will also remain in effect, Hegseth added.

Hegseth’s comments echo Trump’s own remarks during a press conference about the strikes on Saturday morning. Trump told reporters the U.S. would effectively control Venezuela “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” He also said he will bring in American energy companies to take over Venezuela’s oil industry, which officials have suggested is running at too low a capacity for an oil-rich nation.

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“We’re going to have our very large U.S. oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country,” Trump said.

Trump authorized the strikes late Friday night on at least seven locations in Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela. The mission, dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” also included the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia, who now face drug and weapons charges in the U.S.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense/4400940/hegseth-trump-sets-terms-venezuela-future/