United States - Venezuela: Donald Trump Says He "Does Not Rule Out" a War
Donald Trump does not rule out war against Venezuela following an oil blockade.
SUMMARY
Donald Trump stated he does not rule out war against Venezuela as the United States imposes an oil blockade and intensifies pressure on Caracas. His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, called the status quo intolerable. Washington has conducted military strikes in the Caribbean targeting suspected traffickers, causing over 100 deaths without public evidence. The threat of a ground intervention is also being raised.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Donald Trump does not rule out war against Venezuela.
- The United States has imposed a maritime blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers.
- Marco Rubio considers the status quo with Caracas intolerable.
- Over 100 deaths in U.S. strikes against suspected traffickers.
- Washington threatens a ground intervention in Venezuela.
CORE SUBJECT
Diplomatic and military tensions between the United States and Venezuela
Three days after declaring a maritime blockade targeting Venezuelan oil tankers under sanctions, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he "does not rule out" a war against Venezuela. Meanwhile, his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, described the status quo between Washington and Caracas as "intolerable."
U.S. President Donald Trump did not dismiss the possibility of a war against Venezuela during an interview broadcast on Friday, December 19, as the United States increases pressure on Caracas with an oil blockade imposed on Tuesday.
"No, I do not rule it out," the American leader said to NBC News during a recorded phone interview the day before.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke on the subject earlier on Friday during a press conference, stating that "nothing would prevent" Washington from enforcing its oil blockade against Venezuela. "The current status quo with the Venezuelan regime is intolerable for the United States," he added.
However, he assured he was "not worried" about Moscow's support for Caracas.
Donald Trump accuses Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, one of his arch-enemies, of leading a drug trafficking network, a claim Maduro denies.
Also read: Maduro "drug lord": how Trump wants to end the Venezuelan president
Nicolas Maduro "knows exactly what I want (...). He knows it better than anyone," the Republican declared, however refusing to say if his goal was to overthrow him.
More than 100 deaths in U.S. strikes
Earlier this week, the U.S. president announced a "total blockade" on sanctioned oil tankers heading to or from Venezuela.
He stated in the interview that more tanker seizures will take place, following last week's seizure of a ship carrying barrels of Venezuelan crude.
Washington has deployed a significant military presence in the Caribbean since this summer and conducted a series of strikes targeting suspected drug traffickers' vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific.
At least 104 people have been killed in these strikes since the start of these operations, without the U.S. government ever providing any evidence that the targeted ships were actually involved in trafficking.
Meanwhile, the U.S. president has been raising the threat of a ground intervention for weeks.
KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 6
Donald Trump
👤 Person_MalePresident of the United States
Marco Rubio
👤 Person_MaleU.S. Secretary of State
Nicolas Maduro
👤 Person_MalePresident of Venezuela
United States
📍 Location_CountryCountry imposing blockade and conducting strikes
Venezuela
📍 Location_CountryCountry targeted by the blockade and U.S. pressure
Moscow
📍 Location_CitySupporter of Caracas according to Marco Rubio
NOTABLE QUOTES 3
""No, I do not rule it out""
Context: Response to question about the possibility of war against Venezuela
""The current status quo with the Venezuelan regime is intolerable for the United States""
Context: Press conference on the oil blockade
""Nicolas Maduro knows exactly what I want (...). He knows it better than anyone""
Context: Statement about the Venezuelan president
KEY DECISIONS 1
Imposition of a total maritime blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers
FACTUAL CLAIMS 2
Donald Trump accuses Nicolas Maduro of leading a drug trafficking network
The U.S. government has never provided evidence that the ships targeted in the strikes were involved in drug trafficking