Trump Downplays War Fears with Venezuela
Former US President Donald Trump has brushed aside the idea that Washington could go to war with Venezuela, though he suggested that President Nicolás Maduro’s days in power might be numbered.
In an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes ago es, Trump said:
“I doubt it. I don’t think so. But they’ve been treating us very badly.”
The remarks came as the US military continues operations targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean. The Trump administration insists the strikes are aimed at curbing narcotics entering the US — not about regime change.
Controversy Over US Strikes in the Caribbean
At least 64 people have been killed since September in US-led strikes across the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, according to CBS News.
Critics, including Venezuelan and Colombian officials, have accused Washington of using the anti-drug campaign as a cover for asserting dominance in Latin America. Colombian President Gustavo Petro described the move as “an attempt to control the region.”
Maduro, meanwhile, has repeatedly accused the US of “fabricating a new war” to destabilize his government.
Trump’s Veiled Threat and Security Concerns
Although Trump denied plans for ground strikes, he refused to rule them out:
“I wouldn’t say I’d do it — or that I wouldn’t. I’m not going to tell you what I’ll do with Venezuela.”
He also criticized what he described as uncontrolled migration from Latin America, specifically naming Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as “the most vicious gang anywhere in the world.”
Talks on Nuclear Testing Spark Global Attention
Trump reignited debate over nuclear weapons after suggesting that the US might resume nuclear testing for the first time in over 30 years.
He argued that countries like Russia, China, North Korea, and Pakistan are already conducting secret tests:
“I don’t want to be the only country that doesn’t test.”
However, Energy Secretary Chris Wright later clarified that any planned tests would be non-critical, meant only to verify the design and performance of existing weapons systems.
Tensions Over US Shutdown and Media Feud
During the interview, Trump also addressed the ongoing US government shutdown, blaming Democrats for the crisis. He called them “crazed lunatics” who have “lost their way,” but said he believes they will eventually agree to end the impasse.
The CBS interview marked Trump’s first appearance on the network since suing its parent company, Paramount, over a 2024 election interview with then–Vice President Kamala Harris. The dispute ended in a $16 million settlement — funds earmarked for Trump’s future presidential library.