Trump hints tenure of Venezuelan leader may be ending
(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump indicated that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s days in office might be limited, amid rising US military activity in the Caribbean, according to reports. Media outlets have suggested that Washington could be preparing for a potential land strike in Venezuela.
The US has accused Maduro of running “narcoterrorist” cartels responsible for smuggling drugs into the United States and has offered a reward for his capture. Earlier this year, Trump deployed significant naval assets to the western Caribbean and carried out strikes in international waters against vessels accused of drug trafficking. Maduro has rejected these claims, accusing the US president of “fabricating a new war.”
In a Sunday interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes, Trump was asked whether the military buildup—described by the channel as “using a blowtorch to cook an egg”—was aimed at stopping narcotics or removing Maduro from power. “No, this is about many things. This is a country that allowed their prisons to be emptied into our country,” he said. When asked directly if “Maduro’s days as president are numbered,” Trump replied, “I would say yeah. I think so, yeah.”
Trump declined to confirm or deny reports of a possible land strike, stating, “I’m not saying it’s true or untrue. I don’t talk to a reporter about whether or not I’m gonna strike… I’m not gonna tell you what I’m gonna do with Venezuela.”
Reports indicate that the White House is considering operations within Venezuela and has identified potential targets, including drug-smuggling sites. Approximately 10,000 US troops, 6,000 sailors, and eight Navy warships have been deployed to the region, with the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group expected later this week. F-35 fighter jets are also stationed in Puerto Rico.
Caracas condemned the military buildup as a violation of sovereignty and an attempted coup, reportedly seeking support from Russia, China, and Iran. Russia, which ratified a new partnership with Venezuela last week, expressed “strong support for the Venezuelan leadership in defending national sovereignty.”
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