In a recent interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, former US President Donald Trump addressed the escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, downplaying the likelihood of a full-scale war while implying that Nicolás Maduro's tenure as Venezuela's president might be nearing its end. Trump expressed skepticism about the chances of the US going to war with Venezuela, stating, "I doubt it. I don't think so. But they've been treating us very badly." His remarks came amid a significant US military buildup in the Caribbean Sea, signaling heightened American vigilance and readiness in the region.
Over the past two months, the US has amassed a formidable military presence near Venezuela, including warships, fighter jets, bombers, marines, drones, and spy planes—marking the largest deployment in the Caribbean in decades. This show of force coincides with ongoing US strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, actions the Trump administration justifies as necessary to curb the flow of narcotics into the United States. Since early September, these strikes have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 64 individuals, according to CBS News, the BBC’s US news partner.
Trump emphasized the impact of these strikes by highlighting the dangers posed by drug trafficking, stating, "Every single boat that you see that's shot down kills 25,000 on drugs and destroys families all over our country." When pressed on whether the US might expand military actions to include strikes on Venezuelan soil, Trump neither confirmed nor denied such plans. He said, "I wouldn't be inclined to say that I would do that... I'm not gonna tell you what I'm gonna do with Venezuela, if I was gonna do it or if I wasn't going to do it," leaving the door open to various possibilities.
The military maneuvers have included long-range bomber demonstrations off Venezuela’s coast, utilizing B-52 bombers, and the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the region. Additionally, the CIA has been authorized to operate in Venezuela, signaling heightened intelligence and covert activity. These developments have provoked sharp reactions from regional leaders. Nicolás Maduro accused Washington of "fabricating a new war," while Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the US strikes on drug-smuggling boats as a tool for American domination in Latin America.
Trump also addressed concerns about immigration, linking Venezuela to broader migration issues facing the US. He claimed the US government would not allow "people from all over the world" to enter the country unchecked, mentioning migrants arriving from places as diverse as the Congo. Specifically, he singled out Venezuela, criticizing the presence of violent gangs, particularly Tren de Aragua, which he described as "the most vicious gang anywhere in the world." This underscores the administration’s framing of Venezuelan immigration as a security threat tied to criminal activity.
Besides discussing Venezuela, Trump touched on the topic of nuclear weapons, reiterating his call for the US to resume nuclear testing. He suggested that the US must conduct tests to keep pace with other nuclear powers like Russia and China. When CBS’s Norah O’Donnell asked if he planned to detonate a nuclear weapon for the first time in more than 30 years, Trump responded affirmatively: "I'm saying that we're going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do, yes." However, his Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, later attempted to reassure the public and international community by stating the US has no immediate plans to conduct nuclear explosions, aiming to calm fears about escalating nuclear tensions.
The interview also provided a platform for Trump to discuss the ongoing US government shutdown, which had extended for over a month at the time, affecting millions of Americans by disrupting essential public services. Trump placed the blame squarely on Democrats, whom he described as "crazed lunatics" who have "lost their way." Despite his harsh criticism, Trump expressed confidence that Democrats would eventually relent and vote to end the shutdown. "And if they don't vote, that's their problem," he added, signaling a willingness to let the crisis continue if his demands are not met.
This interview marked Trump’s first with CBS since he filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Paramount, over a 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump alleged the interview was edited to unfairly favor the Democratic Party during the presidential campaign. The lawsuit was settled with Paramount agreeing to pay $16 million (approximately £13.5 million), but the funds were directed to Trump’s future presidential library rather than to him personally. The settlement