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Washington, D.C. — US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could carry out a second military strike on Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, if remaining officials in his administration refuse to cooperate with Washington.
Trump made the remarks on Sunday while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, raising fresh concerns about expanded US military involvement in Latin America.
“If they don’t cooperate, there could be further action,” Trump said.
Threats Extend Beyond Venezuela
The US president also suggested that Colombia and Mexico could face military pressure if they fail to reduce the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.
“Operation Colombia sounds good to me,” Trump added.
Trump further claimed that Cuba, a close ally of Venezuela, appeared politically vulnerable without direct US intervention.
“Cuba looks like it’s ready to fall on its own,” he said.
Maduro Detained in New York
Maduro is currently being held in a New York detention center, where he is expected to appear in court on Monday to face drug-related charges filed by US authorities. His detention has deepened uncertainty over what comes next for the oil-rich South American nation.
Trump said the US would prioritize cooperation with remaining officials in the Maduro government to combat drug trafficking and restructure Venezuela’s oil industry, rather than immediately pushing for elections.
Caracas Condemns US Action
Senior Venezuelan officials have rejected the arrests of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, describing them as illegal and unconstitutional.
“Here there is only one president, and his name is Nicolas Maduro Moros,” said Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello in a message released by the ruling PSUV party.
Images of Maduro in US custody circulated widely and shocked many Venezuelans.
Civilian Deaths and Military Alert
Venezuela’s Defence Minister, General Vladimir Padrino, said the US operation resulted in the deaths of soldiers and civilians, and confirmed that the country’s armed forces had been placed on high alert.
The Cuban government said dozens of its citizens were killed during the raid.
Interim Leadership and Rising Tensions
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed interim leadership with the backing of Venezuela’s top court, insisting that Maduro remains president.
Trump, however, warned that Rodríguez could face consequences if she refuses to cooperate with the US.
“She may pay a bigger price than Maduro,” Trump said in an interview with The Atlantic.
Oil, Migration, and US Interests
Trump described Maduro’s capture as a law-enforcement action, citing charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, which Maduro denies.
The US president also said Venezuela’s oil reserves and migration flows influenced the decision.
“US oil companies need total access,” Trump said, accusing Maduro of exporting crime through mass migration.
Venezuelan officials accused Washington of targeting the country’s natural resources.
“They only want our oil,” Cabello said.
Global Reaction and Legal Questions
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Venezuela’s next leader must keep the oil industry away from US adversaries and halt drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned of the risk of prolonged US involvement.
“Americans are worried this could become an endless war,” Schumer said.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet to discuss the situation, as Russia and China criticized the US action and called for respect for international law.
Source: reuters.com Disclaimer
