Venezuela, Trump rules out attack 'but Maduro's days are numbered'
The US president would not reveal whether there are any attacks ready against Caracas
Donald Trump has sent mixed signals about potential US intervention in Venezuela, downplaying concerns of an imminent war against the South American nation but saying that its leader Nicolás Maduro's days are numbered. The president's statements, made yesterday during an interview with CBS, come as the US is assembling military units in the Caribbean and has conducted numerous attacks against suspected drug-trafficking vessels, killing dozens of people .
When asked during the 60 Minutes programme if the United States would declare war on Venezuela , Trump replied, "I doubt it. I don't think so." However, when asked if Maduro's days as president were numbered, he replied, "I would say yes. I think so, yes."
Maduro, who has been indicted for drug offences in the US, has accused Washington of using drug trafficking as a pretext to 'impose regime change' in Caracas and seize Venezuelan oil. In recent weeks, more than 15 US attacks on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific have killed at least 65 people, the latest on Saturday, prompting criticism from governments in the region. Washington has not yet made public any evidence that its targets were smuggling drugs or posed a threat to the US.
