Stephen Miller declares ‘we are in charge’ as he confirms US authority over Venezuela

WASHINGTON, DC: Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, has declared that the United States is now in charge of Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday, January 3.

According to Miller, the US currently controls the country through military presence and economic measures, signaling a new level of American involvement in Venezuelan affairs.

The statement follows an announcement by President Donald Trump that the United States would oversee Venezuela until a transition of leadership can be established.

Stephen Miller on US oversight of Venezuela

Stephen Miller told CNN on Monday, January 5, that the United States is “by definition” in control of Venezuela after removing Nicolas Maduro and establishing a naval blockade.

“We are in charge because we have the United States military stationed outside the country. We set the terms and conditions,” Miller said. He emphasized the implementation of “a complete embargo on all of their oil and their ability to do commerce,” making clear that Venezuelan commercial activities now require American permission.

Following Saturday’s operation, President Donald Trump declared that the US would “run” Venezuela until an orderly transition of power is achieved. He explained that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Miller, and other officials would coordinate with Venezuelan leaders to oversee the nation.

Miller noted that officials have communicated with Venezuela’s acting leader, Delcy Rodriguez, and compiled a list of demands, including halting oil sales to US adversaries, restricting drug trafficking, and removing operatives linked to hostile nations and networks.

Despite asserting US authority, Miller clarified that the administration does not intend to manage the daily operations of the Venezuelan government. “The United States is in charge,” he said, “but obviously that doesn’t mean President Trump is setting the bus fare schedule inside the country.”

Stephen Miller responds on future US actions

Stephen Miller also raised the possibility that the extradition of allies of Nicolas Maduro, including Maduro’s son Nicolas Ernesto Maduro Guerra, could be discussed in future negotiations. He encouraged Venezuelan officials who are part of the current government to “cooperate fully and completely with the United States.”

Miller also addressed criticism involving his wife, Katie Miller, a former White House aide who had urged the Trump administration to take military action to control Greenland. Miller did not dismiss the possibility of future military action there and reiterated Donald Trump’s belief that the United States should assert authority over the Danish territory.

In a recent interview with The Atlantic, Trump stated, “We absolutely need Greenland, primarily for defense purposes.”

He also questioned Denmark’s sovereignty, asking, “The real question is by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?”