Amidst growing uncertainty over Venezuela’s political trajectory following significant US-led strikes, President Donald Trump issued a warning on Monday, threatening a second strike "if they don't behave."
“We were prepared to do a second strike,” Trump told reporters during a briefing. When asked if another operation was ruled out, he made it clear that it was not. “If they don’t behave, we’ll do a second strike,” Trump stated.
Trump's latest warning comes just days after US forces conducted a nighttime operation, Operation Absolute Resolve, in Venezuela's capital, Caracas. During the mission, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured. The couple is now in New York, facing trial for their involvement in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.
In a recent media interaction, Trump emphasized that the focus is on "fixing" Venezuela, rather than holding elections. His statement echoed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s view that Venezuelan elections are "premature."
“What we are focused on right now is all of the problems we had when Maduro was there. We still have those problems in terms of them needing to be addressed. We are going to give people an opportunity to address those challenges and those problems,” Trump said.
Rubio also clarified that the US is not seeking full regime change or a role in day-to-day governance, shifting from Trump’s previous statements about "running" Venezuela. He added that the US would enforce an "oil quarantine" and use it to push for change.