FLORIDA (Realist English). US President Donald Trump said it would be “smart” for Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to step down, indicating that Washington is prepared to further escalate its pressure campaign against Caracas. Trump made the remarks on Monday at his Mar-a-Lago resort, flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Asked whether the goal of US policy was to remove Maduro from power, Trump suggested the outcome would depend on the Venezuelan leader’s actions, while warning that continued defiance could carry severe consequences. “If he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough,” Trump said.
The comments came as the US Coast Guard continued operations for a second consecutive day to intercept a third oil tanker that Washington describes as part of Venezuela’s “dark fleet” used to evade sanctions. Trump confirmed that the United States intends to retain both the seized vessels and nearly 4 million barrels of Venezuelan oil already taken during the operations, saying the cargo could be sold or diverted to strategic reserves.
Maduro responded by accusing Washington of interference and urging Trump to focus on domestic US problems. Caracas insists it has no role in drug trafficking and says the US actions are aimed at overthrowing the government to gain control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the largest in the world. Venezuelan authorities have labeled the tanker seizures “international piracy.”
The escalation coincides with an expanded US military presence in the region, officially justified as part of anti-narcotics operations. According to US statements, dozens of strikes have been carried out against suspected trafficking vessels in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, with critics questioning their legality and pointing to more than 100 reported deaths.
The dispute has moved to the international arena. At Venezuela’s request, backed by Russia and China, the UN Security Council is scheduled to meet to discuss the crisis. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed “deep concern” over US operations during a call with Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil, warning of risks to regional stability and international shipping.
Beijing also condemned the US measures, calling them a serious violation of international law and national sovereignty. In a letter circulated to UN member states, the Venezuelan government warned that a blockade of its energy trade could disrupt global oil markets and harm economies across Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond.
