TRUMP: U.S. WILL "RUN" VENEZUELA, NOT AFRAID OF "BOOTS ON THE GROUND"

• "We're going to be running it with a group, and we're going to make sure it's run properly," Trump said Saturday.
• He said the U.S. will rebuild the country's oil infrastructure, "which will cost billions of dollars."
• "We're not afraid of boots on the ground," Trump added. "We had boots on the ground last night at a very high level."

What we're watching: Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez about the country's next steps.

• "She had a long conversation with Marco, and she said, 'We'll do whatever you need.' She, I think she was quite gracious, but she really doesn't have a choice," Trump said.
• Under Venezuela law, Rodriguez would be next in line to assume power from Maduro. But it's unclear that the Trump administration would accept her as the country's leader.

The big picture: Trump's announcement that the U.S. would be temporarily taking control of Venezuela and its oil infrastructure is arguably the most unvarnished assertion of American imperialism since the invasion of Iraq.

• It would leave the U.S. responsible for restoring stability in a country riven with political violence, well-armed gangs, a military that still at least officially answers to the Maduro regime, and a years-long economic crisis.
• As with other Trump pronouncements — such as his claim in February that the U.S. would be taking over the Gaza Strip — it's not immediately clear to what extent his words will become reality.
• If Trump follows through, he'll be gambling on a better outcome than many previous U.S. military interventions in Latin America.

Editor's note: This is breaking news. Please check for updates.