WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has declared that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s days in power “are numbered,” as Washington intensifies pressure amid a growing American military presence in the Caribbean.
Speaking to CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Trump stopped short of confirming reports of possible strikes inside Venezuela, but his remarks underscored mounting tensions between the two nations.
While denying war plans, Trump said he believed Maduro’s presidency was nearing its end — a statement likely to escalate diplomatic friction with Caracas, which has accused Washington of fabricating a “narco-terrorism” narrative to justify aggression.
During the interview that aired Sunday, Trump was asked by host Norah O’Donnell whether Maduro’s days as president were numbered.
“I would say yeah. I think so,” he responded, while rejecting the possibility of going to war against Venezuela.
However, Trump declined to say whether the issue of potential land strikes in Venezuela is true or not.
“I wouldn’t be inclined to say that I would do that,” he said, without providing further details.
Trump on Friday also denied media reports that strikes on military installations inside Venezuela could be imminent, telling reporters he did not decide on the matter.
Reports of US Strikes and Legal Concerns
Several US media outlets reported that the Trump administration had decided to carry out strikes on military installations in Venezuela as part of its alleged war against “narco-terrorism” and that the attacks could come at any moment.
Washington has accused Maduro of leading the Cartel de los Soles, a criminal group based in the South American country. In July this year, Washington designated it as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization.
At least 14 strikes have been carried out since early September, mostly in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific, killing more than 64 people.
Rights groups and legal experts have questioned the legality of the operations, arguing that US strikes on alleged drug boats violate international law.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk called the attacks “unacceptable” and urged an independent investigation into what his office described as extrajudicial killings.
Maduro accused Washington of fabricating a war against his country, calling the US allegations “vulgar” and “totally fake.” He insisted that Venezuela “does not produce cocaine leaves” and said US military movements near its coast signal plans for “a new, eternal war.”
