President Trump used an expletive Friday to warn Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro against conflict with the U.S., as the administration escalates military action against drug trafficking in the region.
“He doesn’t want to f‑‑‑ with the U.S.,” Trump said, speaking from the White House during a lunch meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump said Maduro had “offered everything” as part of diplomatic talks with the U.S., but which Trump reportedly called off last week.
The New York Times reported Maduro had offered the U.S. a dominant stake in Venezuela’s oil and other mineral wealth, as part of months-long discussions.
The Associated Press reported Thursday that Venezuelan government officials had also floated a plan for Maduro to eventually leave office as a bid to ease mounting pressure from the Trump administration.
“He has offered everything. He’s offered everything,” Trump said. “You’re right. You know why? Because he doesn’t want to f‑‑‑ around with the United States.”
Trump confirmed earlier this week that he authorized the CIA to expand covert operations inside Venezuela, and that has raised the possibility of direct action against Maduro.
The Venezuelan president, who much of the international community views as illegitimate, was indicted in the U.S. in 2020 on charges of leading a drug cartel.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as Trump’s national security adviser, increased a reward to $50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction.
Rubio is seen as a driving force behind the push to oust Maduro from Caracas, although Trump has said his main motivation is to stop drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
Trump is escalating a military campaign against what the administration says are narco terrorists trafficking drugs in the Caribbean Sea, and he said he is looking at “land” operations as part of the campaign.
Venezuela’s opposition, which is recognized as the legitimate winners of the 2024 election, are welcoming Trump’s tough talk on Maduro. María Corina Machado, leader of the opposition and recent winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, dedicated her award to Trump and appealed to the U.S. to help win the “war” against Maduro.
Trump on Friday acknowledged her dedication but said, “I don’t know who she is.”
