Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gave a sharp reply to United States President Donald Trump who threatened him. Maduro asked Trump to focus on taking care of the US.
This was conveyed by Maduro after Trump ordered US naval forces to blockade Venezuela‘s oil wealth. In a speech broadcast on public television, Maduro said Trump should focus more on dealing with US domestic problems rather than constantly threatening Caracas.
“President Trump will be better off in his country and in the world. He will be better off in his own country in dealing with economic and social problems, and he will be better off in the world if he takes care of his own country’s affairs,” Maduro was quoted as saying. AFPTuesday (23/12/2025).
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The mutual attacks between Maduro and Trump have further worsened relations between the two countries. On Monday (22/12), Trump said it would be ‘wise’ for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down.
“It’s up to him what he wants to do. I think it would be wise for him to do that,” Trump said, asked whether Washington’s threats were designed to force Maduro to leave office after 12 years.
“If he wants to do something, if he gets tough, that will be the last time he can be tough,” Trump continued.
Since September, US forces have launched attacks on what Washington claims are drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The attack left more than 100 people dead.
Some of the victims were said to be fishermen. However, the US insists their actions in the sea near Venezuela are an effort to eradicate drugs.
On December 16, Trump had announced a blockade of ‘sanctioned oil ships’ sailing to and from Venezuela. Trump claims Caracas under Maduro’s leadership has used oil money to finance ‘drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder and kidnapping’.
He also accused Venezuela of taking ‘all our oil’. The statement appeared to refer to the nationalization of Venezuela’s oil sector.
Trump says ‘we want it back’. The Venezuelan government was furious.
Venezuela accuses Washington of attempting regime change. Caracas also accused Washington of ‘international piracy’.
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