Trump Says Second Venezuela Strike Possible If Government Does Not Cooperate

ON AIR FORCE ONE, January 4 (Reuters) – U.S. President donald Embers He said the US could launch an initiative on Sunday second military to hit Open Venezuelan If the remaining members of the administration do the same after the capture of President Nicolas Maduro Negative cooperate with his efforts to “fix” the country.

Embers‘s comments to reporters aboard Air Force One raised the possibility of further US military intervention in Latin America, and it was suggested that Colombia and Mexico could also face military intervention if they did so Negative Reducing the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.

“Operation Colombia sounds good to me” Embers in question. He also said our close ally Cuba. VenezuelanIt “appears poised to fall” on its own without US military intervention.

Maduro is in a New York detention center awaiting trial Monday on drug charges. His capture by the United States has led to deep uncertainty about the future of the oil-rich South American country.

Embers He said his administration would work with the remaining members of Maduro’s regime to crack down on drug trafficking and overhaul the oil industry, rather than pressing for immediate elections to install a new regime. state.

Maduro’s top officials state like that still responsible They described the detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as a kidnapping.

“There is only one president here, whose name is Nicolas Maduro Moros. No one should fall for the provocations of the enemy,” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said in an audio recording released by the ruling PSUV socialist party.

Images Maduro, 63 years old blindfolded and handcuffed stunned Venezuelanns. The operation was Washington’s largest operation Controversial intervention in Latin America Since the invasion of Panama 37 years ago.

Defense Minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino said on state television that the US strike killed soldiers, civilians and “a large part” of Maduro’s security team “in cold blood”. VenezuelanHe said that ‘s armed forces were mobilized to guarantee sovereignty.

Cuban state He said that 32 of his citizens were killed in the raid.

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez — who also serves as oil minister — has taken over as interim leader with the blessing of Venezuelan‘s top court said Maduro remains president.

Rodriguez has long been seen as the most pragmatic member of Maduro’s inner circle. But he openly opposed EmbersHe claims to be willing to work with the United States.

Embers He said Rodriguez could pay a higher price than Maduro. to doDon’t do the right thing, according to an interview with The Atlantic magazine published Sunday.

Venezuelanthe ministry of communication did this Negative Respond promptly to a request for comment on this review.

EmbersThe administration has described Maduro’s capture as a law enforcement mission to force him to face criminal charges filed in 2020 by the United States, including narco-terrorism conspiracy. Maduro has denied involvement in the crime.

However Embers He also said US oil companies needed “full access” to the country’s vast reserves and suggested that oil would continue to flow. VenezuelanEmigrating to the United States was also instrumental in Maduro’s capture.

“What really drives (the decision to capture Maduro) is that he has sent millions of people from prisons and mental hospitals, drug dealers, to our country, every drug addict in his country has been sent to our country.” Embers in question.

VenezuelanN state has been saying for months Embers He was trying to seize the country’s natural resources, especially its oil, and the authorities had done a lot about it before. Embers He commented that major US oil companies would take action.

“We were outraged because it all came out in the end; it turned out they just wanted our oil,” Cabello said.

Once one of the most prosperous countries in Latin America VenezuelanIts economy hit rock bottom in the 2000s under President Hugo Chavez and worsened under Maduro; Venezuelanns abroad one of the world’s largest migrations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: Venezuelanshould keep the next leader VenezuelanHe took ‘s oil industry out of the hands of U.S. adversaries, halted drug smuggling, and cited the ongoing U.S. blockade of tankers.

“This means their economy will increase Negative It will be able to proceed until conditions favorable to the national interests of the United States and the interests of the United States are met. Venezuelanmeeting n people,” he said on ABC’s “This Week.”

Some Maduro supporters gathered state– Sponsored protest march in Caracas on Sunday afternoon.

Once ruled by Spain Venezuelan‘s “people need Negative “Surrender, we will never be anyone’s colony again,” said demonstrator Reinaldo Mijares. “This country Negative “land of the defeated.”

Maduro’s rivals Venezuelan He was reluctant to celebrate its capture, and the security forces’ presence appeared lighter than usual on Sunday.

Despite the tense weather, some bakeries and cafes were open and runners and cyclists were out and about as usual. Some citizens stocked basic necessities.

“Yesterday I was very afraid to go out, but today I had to go out. This situation caught me without food and I need to figure it out. After all, Venezuelan“People are used to enduring fear,” said a single mother buying rice, vegetables and tuna in the oil city of Maracaibo.

disappointing Venezuelanopposition, Embers The 58-year-old opposition leader paid little attention to his idea and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado He took over saying he lacked support.

Machado is barred from running in the 2024 elections, but he said: ally Edmundo GonzálezThe 76-year-old, who the opposition and some international observers say won the vote overwhelmingly, has a democratic mandate to assume the presidency.

US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the White House has not said how long the US plans to stay here Venezuelan and how many American troops might be required.

“The American people are worried that this will lead to a never-ending war, as Donald thinks. Embers “We campaigned against it,” Schumer said on ABC’s “This Week.” He said lawmakers would consider a measure for further restrictions. Embers management action VenezuelanIts prospects may be uncertain, given that Congress controls it. EmbersRepublicans.

While many Western countries oppose Maduro, many calls The United States must respect international law and Questions arise about legality Capturing a foreign head of state.

UN Security Council We plan to meet on Monday to discuss the attack. Russia and China’s biggest supporters VenezuelanThey criticized the USA

(Reporting by Reuters bureaus worldwide; Writing by Andy Sullivan, John Kruzel, Lincoln Feast, Andrew Cawthorne and Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Cynthia Osterman, Sergio Non, Chizu Nomiyama and Diane Craft)