8 hours ago
Last Updated:October 18, 2025, 17:37 IST
The comments were made during a joint press appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House
US President Donald Trump | Image: File
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro “does not want to mess around" with the United States, as tensions continue to mount between Washington and Caracas following a US military strike in the Caribbean.
Trump’s remarks came a day after Reuters reported that the US Navy was holding two survivors on board a ship after a strike on a suspected Venezuelan drug vessel killed two others.
The attack was part of what Trump has described as an ongoing campaign against a “narcoterrorist" threat allegedly linked to the Maduro government.
Asked by reporters about claims that Maduro had offered “everything," including Venezuela’s natural resources, in a bid to strike a deal with the United States, Trump replied: “He’s offered everything. You’re right. You know why? Because he doesn’t want to mess around with the United States."
The comments were made during a joint press appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
The exchange came amid reports of a U.S military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine, and an estimated 6,500 troops, underscoring Washington’s growing pressure on Maduro’s government.
The Venezuelan government has not commented publicly on Trump’s latest statements.
However, officials in Caracas have previously dismissed reports that senior figures were negotiating Maduro’s removal from power.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez on Thursday posted a selfie with Maduro on Telegram, calling those spreading such reports “liars."
On Wednesday, Trump confirmed he had authorised the CIA to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela, fuelling speculation in Caracas that Washington is pursuing regime change efforts.
Maduro has repeatedly denied involvement in drug trafficking, accusing the United States of fabricating evidence as a pretext for intervention. He condemned the recent US strikes as violations of Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law.
During his remarks, Trump also referred to this year’s Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was honoured last week.
“I didn’t get a Nobel Prize. Somebody got it, a very nice woman, very nice," Trump said. “I don’t know her, but she was very generous. I don’t care about all that. I just care about saving lives."
Location :
United States of America (USA)
First Published:
October 18, 2025, 17:37 IST
News world Trump Says Maduro ‘Doesn't Want To F**k Around' With US Amid Tensions With Venezuela
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