On January 5 local time, Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House, stated in an interview that the U.S. is using its effective control over Venezuela’s economy as leverage to force the country’s new leadership to act in accordance with the Donald Trump administration’s demands.Miller revealed that Venezuelan officials have privately assured the U.S. that they will meet the “conditions, demands, and requirements” set forth by the United States.Miller stated that Venezuela needs U.S. permission to conduct trade and operate its economy, “so the U.S. is in a dominant position.” Miller also said that day that U.S. actions in Venezuela constitute an “ongoing military operation.” (CCTV)