U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a sharp warning to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Friday, saying the embattled South American leader “doesn’t want to fuk around with the United States.”
Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump was asked about the rapidly growing confrontation with Venezuela, a nation rich in oil and other natural resources. His comments came amid escalating military and intelligence operations targeting the Maduro government.
Over the past six weeks, the United States has carried out a string of air and naval strikes in the Caribbean Sea against vessels it claims are tied to Venezuelan drug trafficking. The latest strike on October 14 killed six people, bringing the total death toll to at least 27. Washington says all operations occurred in international waters, but foreign governments and legal experts are questioning their legality under international law.
Trump has also authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela aimed at dismantling narcotics and organized-crime networks. Analysts warn the directive risks blurring the line between counter-narcotics enforcement and regime-change efforts. Caracas has condemned the moves as “illegal acts of aggression,” appealing to the United Nations Security Council for censure.
Venezuelan forces have reinforced coastal and border defenses in response. Meanwhile, a proposed power-transition plan reportedly floated by Caracas—and rejected by Washington—has done little to ease tensions. With both leaders trading threats and deploying forces, the U.S.–Venezuela standoff is teetering on the edge of direct conflict.