Amidst ongoing tensions, Donald Trump has downplayed the prospect of a US military conflict with Venezuela, despite the country's strained relationship with the United States. In an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes, Trump stated, 'I doubt it. I don't think so. But they've been treating us very badly.'
The US has been conducting strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean, which Trump justified as a necessary measure to curb the influx of narcotics into the US. However, he vehemently denied that these actions were aimed at removing Nicolás Maduro from power, emphasizing, 'It's about many things.'
The strikes have resulted in a tragic loss of life, with at least 64 individuals killed since early September, according to CBS News. Trump's response to the casualties was stark, stating, 'Every single boat that's shot down kills 25,000 on drugs and destroys families all over our country.'
When pressed about potential land-based strikes, Trump remained non-committal, saying, 'I wouldn't be inclined to say that I would do that... I'm not gonna tell you what I'm gonna do with Venezuela.'
Maduro has accused the US of fabricating a war, while Colombian President Gustavo Petro has criticized the strikes as a means for the US to exert dominance over Latin America. Trump's comments also touched on immigration, expressing his intention to restrict entry to the US, particularly from Venezuela, citing the presence of gangs like the Tren de Aragua as a concern.
This interview marks Trump's first appearance on 60 Minutes since his lawsuit against CBS' parent company, Paramount, over a 2024 interview with Kamala Harris. The lawsuit alleged that the interview was edited to favor the Democratic Party, resulting in a settlement of $16 million, allocated to Trump's future presidential library.
