Washington, December 24: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro not to “play tough,” saying it would be “smart” for him to step aside, as Washington escalated pressure on Caracas in a move that drew sharp criticism from Russia and China.
Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Trump suggested he was prepared to further ratchet up tensions after months of stepped-up U.S. actions against Venezuela.
“When asked if the goal was to force Maduro from power, Trump said it probably was, adding: “That’s up to him what he wants to do. I think it’d be smart for him to do that.” He warned that if Maduro “plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough.”
Trump’s remarks came as the U.S. Coast Guard continued for a second day to pursue a third oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, which U.S. authorities say is part of a so-called “dark fleet” used to evade American sanctions. Trump said the United States intended to seize the vessel, along with nearly 4 million barrels of Venezuelan oil already taken from two other ships.
“We’re keeping it. We’re keeping the ships also,” Trump said, suggesting the oil could be sold or placed in U.S. strategic reserves.
Maduro hit back in a televised speech, urging Trump to focus on domestic U.S. problems instead of threatening Venezuela. “He would be better off in his own country on economic and social issues,” Maduro said.
The pressure campaign comes amid a large U.S. military buildup in the region, officially aimed at combating drug trafficking. U.S. forces have carried out more than two dozen strikes on vessels suspected of drug smuggling in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea near Venezuela. Critics have questioned the legality of the operations, which have killed more than 100 people.
Shortly after Trump’s comments, the U.S. military said it had killed another person in a strike on a “low-profile vessel” suspected of carrying drugs in international waters in the eastern Pacific.
Venezuela denies involvement in drug trafficking and accuses Washington of seeking to overthrow Maduro to gain control of the country’s oil reserves, the world’s largest. Caracas has also condemned U.S. vessel seizures as acts of “international piracy.”
The escalating tensions come ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday at Venezuela’s request, backed by Russia and China.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed “deep concern” over U.S. operations in the Caribbean during a call with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, warning of potential consequences for regional stability and international shipping. Moscow reaffirmed its “full support and solidarity” with Venezuela, Russia’s foreign ministry said.
China also condemned the U.S. actions, calling them a “serious violation of international law.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing opposed any actions that infringe on the sovereignty and security of other countries, adding that China supports Venezuela in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.
In a letter read on state television, signed by Maduro and addressed to UN member states, Venezuela warned that a U.S. blockade would disrupt global oil and energy supplies, increase market instability and harm economies in Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond.
