Maduro‘s Tenure Nearing End, But US Won’t Invade, Trump Says
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump stated Sunday that the days of nicolás Maduro’s leadership in Venezuela are likely numbered, but affirmed the United States will not engage in military conflict with the South American nation. The comments came during an interview with CBS News, amidst heightened U.S.military presence in the Caribbean Sea.
Trump acknowledged Maduro’s time in power is “up,” while simultaneously denying the U.S. naval and air force deployment is aimed at forcibly removing him. He described the military activity as serving “manny things.” Officially, the White house has justified the deployment as part of a counter-narcotics operation.
However, some analysts suggest the U.S. aims to pressure the Venezuelan military to withdraw support from Maduro, whom Washington dose not recognize as the country’s legitimate leader. “I doubt it. I don’t think so. But they treat us very badly,” Trump told CBS when directly asked about the possibility of war with Venezuela.
In October, Trump confirmed reports of authorized covert operations by the Central intelligence Agency (CIA) in Venezuela and indicated potential future ground action by U.S.forces.The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group, previously operating in the Mediterranean, was later dispatched to the region, framed by the U.S. as a critical anti-drug and anti-terrorism mission.
Facing potential U.S.intervention, Maduro is reportedly seeking military assistance from Russia, China, and Iran, according to The Washington Post.
