US President Donald Trump said on Sunday a second military strike on Venezuela is possible if remaining officials do not cooperate following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump asserted that Washington was now “in charge” of Venezuela after the weekend’s ousting, while also engaging with the newly installed leadership in Caracas.
Maduro, blindfolded and handcuffed after his capture, is in a New York detention center on drug charges. The operation, which killed soldiers, civilians, and 32 Cubans, according to Venezuelan and Cuban officials, has plunged the nation into uncertainty.
Interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, installed with the top court’s blessing, has taken charge. However, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello declared, “Here there is only one president, whose name is Nicolas Maduro Moros.” Rodríguez has publicly contradicted Trump’s claim of her cooperation.
Trump warned Rodríguez may “pay a bigger price” if she doesn’t comply. He cited US need for “total access” to Venezuela’s oil and claimed Maduro sent “millions” of migrants, including criminals, to the US
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Venezuela’s economy, under a US oil tanker blockade, cannot advance until US conditions on oil and drug trafficking are met. Cabello responded, “it was revealed that they only want our oil.”
Streets in Caracas were muted. Some Maduro supporters protested, with demonstrator Reinaldo Mijares stating, “This country is not a country of the defeated.” Opposition figures have been wary, and Trump has dismissed opposition leader María Corina Machado, suggesting she lacks support.
US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticised the lack of clarity on the mission’s duration and troop numbers, warning of a potential “endless war.” The UN Security Council will meet Monday to discuss the attack, with Russia and China having criticised the US action.
