US President Donald Trump has suggested that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s days as president could be numbered, as reports point to a US military buildup near Venezuela.
Trump made the remark during an interview with CBS’s ’60 Minutes,’ where he was asked whether the military buildup near Venezuela—described by the channel as ‘using a blowtorch to cook an egg’—was aimed at stopping narcotics or ‘getting rid of President Maduro.’ Trump responded by stating that the situation involves ‘many things,’ including the role of Venezuelan prisons in allowing drugs to enter the United States. When directly asked if Maduro’s days as president are numbered, Trump affirmed, ‘I would say yeah. I think so, yeah.’
Washington has accused Maduro of running ‘narcoterrorist’ cartels that smuggle drugs into the US and has offered a bounty for his arrest. Earlier this year, Trump deployed major naval assets to the western Caribbean and carried out strikes in international waters against vessels accused of drug trafficking. Maduro has rejected these accusations, calling them ‘fabricating a new war.’ The US president neither confirmed nor denied 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.’
Several outlets reported that the White House is considering operations inside the country and has identified potential targets, including drug-smuggling sites. The US has reportedly deployed about 10,000 soldiers, 6,000 sailors, and eight Navy warships to the region, while the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group is expected later this week. F-35 jets are also stationed in Puerto Rico. Caracas has condemned the buildup as a violation of sovereignty and an attempted coup, while 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.’
The situation reflects a broader geopolitical tension between the United States and Venezuela, with Maduro’s government facing mounting international pressure and economic turmoil. The US’s actions have raised concerns among allies and critics alike, highlighting the complex nature of international relations and the potential impact on regional stability.