Donald Trump has minimised the likelihood of a US conflict with Venezuela; however indicated that Nicolás Maduro’s tenure as president is limited.
When inquired about the possibility of the US engaging in warfare against Venezuela, the US president said to CBS’s 60 Minutes: “I doubt it.” I disagree. However, they have been treating us exceedingly poorly.
For two months, the US military has been augmenting a contingent of warships, fighter jets, bombers, marines, drones, and reconnaissance aircraft in the Caribbean Sea. It represents the most extensive deployment in decades.
The United States persists in executing strikes against purported drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. The Trump administration asserts that the strikes are essential to curtail the influx of drugs into the United States.
Trump dismissed claims that the US intervention was primarily intended to eliminate narcotics, asserting instead that it was focused on “many things,” including the removal of Maduro, a longstanding adversary of Trump.
According to CBS News, the BBC’s US news partner, US strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have resulted in the deaths of at least 64 individuals since early September.
From his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump stated: “Every single boat that is intercepted results in the demise of 25,000 individuals due to drugs and devastates families across our nation.”
When pressed on the possibility of the US executing ground attacks, Trump declined to exclude the option, stating: “I wouldn’t be inclined to say that I would do that…” I will not disclose my intentions on Venezuela, whether I plan to act or refrain from acting.
B-52 long-range bombers have conducted “bomber attack demonstrations” off the coast of Venezuela. Trump has sanctioned the deployment of the CIA to Venezuela, and the largest aircraft carrier globally is being dispatched to the region.
Maduro has already alleged that Washington is “fabricating a new war.” At the same time, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has asserted that the strikes on boats are employed by the US to “dominate” Latin America.
Trump stated that the government would “not permit anyone from around the globe” to enter.
“They arrive from the Congo and various regions globally, not exclusively from South America.” However, Venezuela, in particular, has seen significant adversity. He identified Tren de Aragua as one of the groups.
He referred to it as “the most malevolent gang globally.”
Trump was questioned over nuclear testing following his appeal to US military chiefs to recommence atomic weapons testing to maintain competitiveness with nations like Russia and China.
In response to CBS’s Norah O’Donnell’s inquiry regarding the potential detonation of a nuclear bomb by the US for the first time in almost 30 years, Trump stated: “I am indicating that we will conduct nuclear weapons tests as other nations do, yes.”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright attempted to alleviate worldwide apprehensions by informing Fox News that the United States had no intentions of executing nuclear detonations.
In his CBS interview, Trump addressed the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which has persisted for over a month, jeopardising essential services for millions of Americans.
The president criticised Democrats, labelling them as “crazed lunatics” who have “lost their way,” yet expressed confidence that they will ultimately concede and vote to terminate the shutdown.
“If they choose not to vote, that is their concern,” he stated.
This was Trump’s inaugural interview with CBS, following his lawsuit against its parent company, ViacomCBS (formerly Paramount), regarding a 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
He asserted that the interview, broadcast during the presidential election campaign, had been manipulated to “tilt the balance in favor of the Democratic Party”.
Paramount consented to disburse $16 million (£13.5 million) to resolve the lawsuit, with the funds designated for Trump’s forthcoming presidential library, rather than being compensated to him “directly or indirectly.” The compensation did not encompass an apologetic statement.
Trump’s most recent appearance on the 60 Minutes program took place in 2020, during which he exited an interview with Lesley Stahl, claiming that the questions were biased against him. He declined to participate in an interview with the program during the 2024 election.
