Donald Trump breaks silence over war with Venezuela in 5-word comment
Donald Trump was asked about the possibility of a war between the US and Venezuela.
Donald Trump has spoken out about the possibility of a war between the US and Venezuela as tensions skyrocket between the two countries.
During an interview with NBC, President Trump said "I don’t rule it out, no,", after ordering a "blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers coming and going from Venezuela, increasing pressure on the country's president, Nicolás Maduro. The move comes as Mr Trump declared Venezuela's regime "a designated terrorist organisation" in a bid to put a tighter chokehold on the South American country's economy. Announcing the blockade, Trump alleged Venezuela was using oil to fund drug trafficking and other crimes, vowing to continue the military buildup until the country gave the US oil, land, and assets.
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In his phone interview with NBC, Trump said "I don't discuss it" when asked whether he rules out the possibility that such actions could lead to war. But when he was pressed, he confirmed it was a possibility and said there would be additional seizures of oil tankers.
Asked for a timeline, Trump replied: "It depends. If they’re foolish enough to be sailing along, they’ll be sailing along back into one of our harbours," NBC also reported.
The administration has claimed that the strikes have been on alleged drug boats and that Venezuela is using oil revenue to finance "drug terrorism".
The US and Venezuela have been facing off for weeks, as Trump increases a campaign of mounting pressure against the country's leader, Nicolás Maduro.
Earlier this week, the US President posted on his own social media platform Truth Social saying: "Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America."
President Trump also warned that the US would increase a military presence in the area as he demanded Maduro's regime give back oil, land, and other assets, which he claimed had been stolen from America.
It was reported as a reference to the South American countries' nationalisation of US-linked holdings in the country. Earlier this year, Mr Trump threatened to order land strikes inside the country itself.
