President Donald Trump has issued a new warning to President Nicolas Maduro that it would be “prudent” for the Venezuelan leader to resign, as the US government escalates its pressure campaign, drawing harsh criticism from Russia and China.
President Trump spoke Monday at the Florida resort of Mar-a-Lago, watched by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and signaled he was ready to escalate tensions after four months of mounting pressure on Caracas.
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Asked if the goal was to remove President Maduro from power, Trump told reporters: “Well, I think it probably will… It depends on what he wants to do. I think it’s wise for him to do that. But again, we’re going to find out.”
“If he wants to do something, if he wants to play tough, that will be the last time he can play tough,” the US leader added.
President Trump’s latest threat comes as the U.S. Coast Guard continues its pursuit of a third oil tanker for the second day, deeming it part of a “dark fleet” used by Venezuela to evade U.S. sanctions.
“Things are progressing and eventually it will happen,” President Trump said.
The U.S. president also pledged to keep the roughly 4 million barrels of Venezuelan oil seized so far by two ships and the Coast Guard.
“Maybe we’ll sell it. Maybe we’ll keep it. Maybe we’ll use it as a strategic reserve,” he said. “We’re storing it. We’re storing the ship.”
President Maduro strikes back
The operation against Venezuela’s vital oil sector comes amid a major U.S. military buildup in the region in a pledge to fight drug trafficking, and more than 20 attacks on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean near the South American country.
Critics have questioned the legality of the attack, which killed more than 100 people.
Venezuela denies involvement in drug trafficking and claims the United States is trying to overthrow President Maduro in order to seize the country’s oil reserves, the world’s largest.
Caracas condemned the seizure of the US ship as “an act of international piracy.”
Hours later, Maduro responded to Trump’s latest salvo in a speech broadcast on public television, saying the U.S. president would be better served by focusing on his country’s problems rather than threatening Caracas.
Mauro said, “When it comes to economic and social issues, it’s better to live in your own country, and if you address your own problems, you’ll be better off in the world.”
The escalation in rhetoric comes ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday to address the growing crisis.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed “deep concern” about the US operation in the Caribbean in a telephone conversation with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil, warning of the potential impact on regional stability and international shipping.
A statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow “reaffirmed its full support and solidarity with the leadership and people of Venezuela in the current situation.”
us blockade
China also condemned the US’s recent move as a “serious violation of international law”.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the Chinese government “opposes all actions that violate the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and infringe on the sovereignty and security of other countries.”
“Venezuela has the right to develop independently and engage in mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries. China understands and supports Venezuela’s stance to protect its legitimate rights and interests.”
Rubio last week dismissed Moscow’s support for Caracas.
He said he was “not concerned about escalation with Russia regarding Venezuela” because “Russia is busy with Ukraine.”
U.S.-Russian relations have deteriorated in recent weeks as President Trump has expressed frustration with Russia over the lack of resolution to the Ukraine war.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Gil read aloud on state television a letter signed by President Maduro to United Nations member states, warning that the U.S. economic blockade would disrupt global oil and energy supplies.
“Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to peace, but also unequivocally declares its readiness to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and resources in accordance with international law.”
“However, we responsibly warn that these aggressions will not only affect Venezuela. The blockade and piracy of Venezuela’s energy trade will affect oil and energy supplies, increase volatility in international markets, and damage the economies of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the world, especially those of the most vulnerable countries.”
