Trump Says He Left Maduro Regime in Place to Avoid Repeat of Iraq

President Donald Trump speaks during the “Great, Historic Investment in Rural Health Roundtable” in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 16, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch TimesWASHINGTON—President Donald Trump told reporters while departing the White House on Jan. 16 that he is working with interim Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodriguez rather than aligning with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado because he wants to maintain stability in the region.He said his decision was based on a desire to avoid a power vacuum that might emerge if the entire regime was swiftly dismantled, noting the challenges faced in Iraq after American forces invaded.