- Align or Pay a Bigger Price Than Maduro, Trump Tells Venezuela’s Acting President
- Trump’s remarks marked a sharp shift from his position a day earlier, when he claimed Rodríguez was willing to cooperate with the United States
- Trump described the country as a complete failure
United States President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, demanding her cooperation with what he described as a US-led occupation and transition process or risk consequences harsher than those facing detained Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking in an interview with The Atlantic on Sunday, Eko Hot Blog reports that Trump said Rodríguez would face severe repercussions if she refused to align with Washington’s plans for Venezuela.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Tax Reform Criticism Politically Motivated – NRS Boss
- Gumi Claims He Was Listed for Elimination After U.S. Airstrike
- Bolade Adeshina Speaks on Love, Marriage
“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump said, referring to the former Venezuelan president who is currently jailed in New York awaiting trial on narco-trafficking charges.
Trump’s remarks marked a sharp shift from his position a day earlier, when he claimed Rodríguez was willing to cooperate with the United States toward what he described as a “judicious transition.”
Rodríguez, however, has publicly rejected that narrative, insisting that Maduro remains Venezuela’s legitimate leader and declaring that the administration is “ready to defend our natural resources.”
Her defiance appeared to provoke Trump, who warned that he would intensify pressure on Rodríguez and any other figures he believes could obstruct his stated ambition to temporarily “run” Venezuela and open its oil sector to US control.
Trump also used the interview to revive his call for American control of Greenland, the autonomous territory of Denmark, arguing that its strategic importance had grown due to increased Russian and Chinese activity in the region.
“We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence,” Trump said, claiming the territory is “surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships.”
Reiterating his harsh assessment of Venezuela, the Republican president described the country as a complete failure.
“Rebuilding is not a bad thing in Venezuela’s case,” he said. “The country’s gone to hell. It’s a failed country. It’s a totally failed country. It’s a disaster in every way.”
FURTHER READING
- Paris Meeting: Tinubu, Kagame Confer on World Affairs, Africa’s Interests
- Ikosi-Ejinrin Chairman Calls for Massive Participation in APC E-Registration
- World Braille Day: Oluremi Tinubu Calls for Digital Inclusion
Click here to watch video of the week
