President Donald Trump sent mixed signals Sunday regarding potential US action in Venezuela, downplaying fears of an imminent war while suggesting that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s tenure may be nearing its end.
In an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Trump said when asked about the likelihood of a US war with Venezuela, “I doubt it. I don’t think so.” Yet, when questioned about Maduro’s political future, he added, “I would say yeah. I think so, yeah.”
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The remarks come amid increased US military activity in the Caribbean, including multiple strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking, resulting in at least 65 deaths over the past weeks. Critics argue these attacks, which began in early September, amount to extrajudicial killings, and Washington has yet to provide evidence that the targeted ships were smuggling drugs or posed a direct threat to the United States.
Maduro, who faces US drug-related indictments, has condemned the strikes as a pretext for regime change aimed at seizing Venezuela’s oil resources. The situation has drawn criticism from governments across the region, highlighting rising tensions between Washington and Caracas.
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