Trump says Maduro could be toppled by coup
CARACAS, Venezuela — President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro could be easily toppled by a military coup and the U.S. stepped up financial pressure by slapping the socialist president’s inner circle with fresh sanctions.
Trump declined to respond to questions about whether a U.S.-led military intervention in the crisisstricken country was possible, saying he doesn’t reveal military strategy.
“It’s a regime that, frankly, could be toppled very quickly by the military if the military decides to do that,” Trump said in comments on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. “It’s a truly bad place in the world today.”
Earlier in the day, the Trump administration slapped financial sanctions on four members of Maduro’s inner circle, including his wife and the nation’s vice president, on allegations of corruption.
As part of the actions, the U.S. barred Americans from doing business with and will seize any financial assets in the U.S. belonging to first lady Cilia Flores, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.
“We are continuing to designate loyalists who enable Maduro to solidify his hold on the military and the government while the Venezuelan people suffer,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.
Over the past two years, the Trump administration has sanctioned dozens of individuals, including Maduro himself, on allegations of corruption, drug trafficking and human rights abuses.
Maduro later appeared on state television, thanking Trump for sanctions that he called a badge of honor for those around him in a battle against what he calls an imperialist power. He also blasted the sanctions targeting his wife.
“If you want to attack me, come at me directly. But don’t touch Cilia and my family,” Maduro said.
Trump publicly floated the idea of a military option in August 2017, but since then he has avoided making any direct references to a possible attack.