Donald Trump has played down the possibility of a US war with Venezuela, but suggested Nicolás Maduro's days as the country's president were numbered. Asked if the US was going to war against Venezuela, the US president told CBS' 60 Minutes: I doubt it. I don't think so. But they've been treating us very badly.
For two months, the US military has been building up a force of warships, fighter jets, bombers, marines, drones and spy planes in the Caribbean Sea, the largest deployment there for decades. The US continues to launch strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean, asserting that these operations are necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the US.
Trump rejected suggestions that the US action was aimed at ousting Maduro, stating it involved many things. Since early September, at least 64 people have reportedly been killed by US strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Trump argued that each boat struck prevents thousands from succumbing to drug addiction, asserting, Every single boat that you see that's shot down kills 25,000 on drugs and destroys families all over our country.
When pressed on whether the US was planning land strikes, Trump was noncommittal, stating: I wouldn't be inclined to say that I would do that... I'm not gonna tell you what I'm gonna do with Venezuela, if I was gonna do it or if I wasn't going to do it.
He noted ongoing actions such as bomber demonstrations off Venezuela's coast, and the CIA's involvement, emphasizing a hardline stance against gangs from Venezuela infiltrating the US. Trump labeled the Tren de Aragua gang as the most vicious gang anywhere in the world.
In the same CBS interview, Trump also discussed nuclear testing plans, the government shutdown impacting millions, and his previous legal disputes with CBS, indicating ongoing tensions with media coverage of his administration.
For two months, the US military has been building up a force of warships, fighter jets, bombers, marines, drones and spy planes in the Caribbean Sea, the largest deployment there for decades. The US continues to launch strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean, asserting that these operations are necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the US.
Trump rejected suggestions that the US action was aimed at ousting Maduro, stating it involved many things. Since early September, at least 64 people have reportedly been killed by US strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Trump argued that each boat struck prevents thousands from succumbing to drug addiction, asserting, Every single boat that you see that's shot down kills 25,000 on drugs and destroys families all over our country.
When pressed on whether the US was planning land strikes, Trump was noncommittal, stating: I wouldn't be inclined to say that I would do that... I'm not gonna tell you what I'm gonna do with Venezuela, if I was gonna do it or if I wasn't going to do it.
He noted ongoing actions such as bomber demonstrations off Venezuela's coast, and the CIA's involvement, emphasizing a hardline stance against gangs from Venezuela infiltrating the US. Trump labeled the Tren de Aragua gang as the most vicious gang anywhere in the world.
In the same CBS interview, Trump also discussed nuclear testing plans, the government shutdown impacting millions, and his previous legal disputes with CBS, indicating ongoing tensions with media coverage of his administration.
