Trump Did Not Rule Out War With Venezuela as US Tightened Oil Pressure

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump left open the possibility of military action against Venezuela, while his top diplomat, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, vowed to intensify pressure by enforcing restrictions on the country’s oil exports.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump said he did not rule out the option of war with Venezuela but avoided confirming whether his administration aimed to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power. Trump said Maduro was aware of Washington’s intentions, adding that his “days are numbered,” without providing further details.

Speaking at a lengthy press conference at the State Department, Marco Rubio described the current situation with Venezuela as unacceptable for the United States. While stopping short of explicitly calling for regime change, Rubio said the US goal was to alter the existing dynamic and confirmed that sanctions on Venezuelan oil would be strictly enforced.

The Trump administration claimed Venezuela was effectively surrounded by US naval forces and vowed to block its oil shipments, a major source of income for the country and a critical supply for Cuba. Rubio said nothing would prevent Washington from enforcing US sanctions laws.

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Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, responded by pledging to protect its oil shipments. Meanwhile, the US imposed new sanctions on additional members and associates of Maduro’s family as part of its pressure campaign.

Despite escalating rhetoric, the administration has not sought formal approval from Congress for military action. Rubio said no steps had been taken that would require congressional authorization. The US House of Representatives also rejected an effort to limit Trump’s ability to launch an attack without Congress’s approval.

Public opinion appeared largely opposed to military action, with a recent poll showing most US voters against war with Venezuela. While Trump has frequently criticized foreign interventions, he has also emphasized maintaining US dominance in the Western Hemisphere.