Donald Trump said on Monday that it would be a wise move for Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to step away from power. He also suggested that the United States could either keep or sell oil shipments that were recently seized off Venezuela’s coast.
Trump’s comments come amid an intensified U.S. pressure campaign targeting Maduro’s government. This effort has included an expanded U.S. military presence in the region, along with more than two dozen strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking in waters near Venezuela. Reports indicate that at least 100 people have been killed during these operations.
When asked whether the goal of the campaign was to push Maduro out of office, Trump told reporters that the outcome ultimately depended on Maduro’s own decisions. He added that leaving power would be a smart option, while warning that continued resistance could carry serious consequences.
Trump also accused Maduro of hostile behavior toward the United States and linked Venezuela’s leadership to drug production and trafficking, claims that Caracas has repeatedly denied.
Alongside the military actions, Trump has previously announced a “blockade” targeting sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. On Sunday, the United States Coast Guard began pursuing another oil tanker in international waters near the country. If successful, it would mark the third such seizure attempt in less than two weeks.
Addressing questions about the future of the seized oil, Trump said the U.S. administration was still considering its options. He noted that the cargo could be sold, retained, or potentially used to help replenish the nation’s strategic petroleum reserves.
