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U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he does not rule out the possibility of a war with Venezuela, following months of destroying vessels allegedly loaded with drugs near the South American country.
"I don't rule it out, no," the president said in a phone interview with NBC News conducted on Thursday and broadcast this Friday.
On Tuesday, Trump ordered the blockade of all tankers sanctioned by the United States from entering or leaving Venezuela, a week after seizing a ship loaded with crude oil near the Venezuelan coast.
The United States has thus increased pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro, whom it accuses of leading the Cartel of the Suns—a claim Caracas denies—following months of bombing alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
In the interview, Trump said there will be more oil seizures and, when asked for a timeline, added: "It depends. If they are foolish enough to keep sailing, they will be taken to one of our ports."
The Republican leader refused to confirm whether the ultimate goal of his strategy regarding Venezuela is to topple Maduro.
"He knows exactly what I want," Trump replied. "He knows it better than anyone," added the president, who held a phone call in November with the Venezuelan Chavista leader.
The U.S. president has promised several times that attacks against alleged drug trafficking targets within Venezuelan territory will begin "soon."
The fact that Trump does not rule out a war represents a significant shift, as he campaigned against U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, distancing himself from the traditional stance of the Republican Party.
His base has criticized him for focusing too much on foreign policy instead of domestic issues, such as the rising cost of living.
For the United States to declare war, congressional authorization is required. The Democratic Party insists that Trump needs legislative approval for the attacks against the vessels allegedly loaded with drugs.
[Publicidad]