President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that it would be “smart” for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to leave office, as Washington increases pressure on Caracas through military action and oil seizures.
Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump said any decision to step down was ultimately Maduro’s choice.
“I think it probably would force him out,” Trump said. “That’s up to him what he wants to do. I think it’d be smart for him to do that,” according to Reuters.
What Trump said
When asked if the aim of US actions was to remove Maduro from power, Trump said the situation would become clearer over time.
“If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough,” Trump said.
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He also accused Maduro of hostility towards the United States and of involvement in drug production and trafficking.
“He’s no friend to the United States. He’s very bad. Very bad guy. He’s gotta watch his ass because he makes cocaine and they send it into the US”, he said.
What the US is doing
The Trump administration has increased its military presence near Venezuela and carried out more than two dozen strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
At least 100 people have been killed in the strikes, Reuters said. Trump has also announced what he described as a blockade of oil tankers operating under sanctions to and from Venezuela.
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Oil seizures
Trump said the United States could either keep or sell oil seized from tankers off Venezuela’s coast in recent weeks.
“Maybe we will sell it, maybe we will keep it,” he said, adding that the oil could be used to replenish US strategic reserves, according to Reuters.
The US Coast Guard began pursuing another oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela on Sunday. If seized, it would be the third such operation in less than two weeks, Reuters reported.