Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro called on U.S. President Donald Trump to cease what he described as "illegal warmongering" and to engage in serious discussions with his administration, amid ongoing tensions and unconfirmed reports of a U.S. airstrike on Venezuelan soil. Speaking during a televised interview, Maduro addressed Trump's accusations that he leads a narco-terrorist organization responsible for drug trafficking into the United States, rejecting the claim.
Maduro refrained from confirming or denying reports of the alleged CIA airstrike, which, if true, would mark the first such attack on Venezuelan territory since Trump initiated a campaign of military pressure in August. He told Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet that the matter could be discussed "in a few days," while driving through Caracas in what appeared to be an effort to project calm despite U.S. pressure.
The relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela has deteriorated significantly in recent years, particularly since Maduro's contested re-election in 2018. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Venezuela, targeting key sectors of its economy, including oil, in an effort to pressure Maduro to step down. The Trump administration has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim president of Venezuela, a move supported by numerous other countries.
Maduro's government, backed by countries including Russia, China, and Cuba, has accused the U.S. of meddling in Venezuela's internal affairs and attempting to orchestrate a coup. The political and economic crisis in Venezuela has led to widespread shortages of food and medicine, hyperinflation, and a mass exodus of Venezuelans to neighboring countries.
The alleged airstrike adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught relationship between the two nations. Maduro warned of a potential "forever war" similar to the conflict in Iraq, highlighting the potential consequences of escalating tensions. As of now, the U.S. government has not commented on the alleged airstrike. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further developments in the coming days.
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