Trump: rebuilding Venezuela's energy infrastructure could take less than 18 months

WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump said on Monday that rebuilding Venezuela's energy infrastructure could take less than 18 months, expressing openness to supporting US oil companies in the effort.
In remarks to NBC News, Trump said the project would require significant investment from oil companies, which would later be compensated either by the US government or through revenues, adding that Washington is prepared to back American energy firms involved in the reconstruction.
Regarding Venezuela's political situation, Trump said no new elections would be held within the next 30 days, stressing that elections cannot take place before the country is stabilized. "There's no way the people could even vote," he said, adding that restoring normal conditions would take time.
Trump's comments followed a US military operation on Saturday that resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were transferred to the US to face federal charges related to drug trafficking.
Trump later said Maduro would stand trial in New York and that the US would oversee Venezuela during a transitional period.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that Washington is not at war with Venezuela, emphasizing that US efforts in the Western Hemisphere are focused on combating transnational drug trafficking organizations that pose a threat to national security.
He reaffirmed Washington's readiness to work with remaining Venezuelan leaders if they do "what's right," warning that the US retains several pressure tools, including military presence in the Caribbean and an oil export ban. (end) amm.dss