Trump shares photo portraying himself as the acting president of Venezuela

The US president subsequently stated that the United States would “run” the Venezuelan government until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” was ensured.

However, Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was later appointed as the country’s interim president.

Trump urges American oil companies to invest in Venezuela

Trump on Friday urged American oil companies to invest billions of dollars in Venezuela, promising them “total safety”.

The US president met senior executives from major oil companies, including Exxon Mobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips, at the White House to discuss rebuilding Venezuela’s energy industry. He said US firms could invest at least $100 billion to revive oil production.

“American companies will have the opportunity to rebuild Venezuela’s energy infrastructure,” Trump said at the meeting.

He added that oil production could rise sharply and stated that the United States would benefit from lower energy prices.

Trump stated that the investment would come from oil companies, not US taxpayers. “The plan is for them to spend at least $100bn of their money, not the government’s money,” he said. “They don’t need government money, but they need government protection and government security,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

He also warned companies that others were ready to step in if they were not interested. “I got 25 people that aren’t here today that are willing to take your place,” Trump said.