U.S. President Donald Trump firmly denied on Thursday any discussions within his administration about pursuing a "regime change" in Venezuela, as reported by EFE. Speaking to the press aboard Air Force One during his flight back to Washington after a state visit to the United Kingdom, Trump addressed this issue.
This statement comes amid escalating tensions in the Caribbean. Just days prior, Trump announced that U.S. military forces had sunk three Venezuelan vessels suspected of drug trafficking in Caribbean waters.
“We Are Not Looking for Regime Changes”
Back in February, Richard Grenell, who had traveled to Caracas as a special envoy from the White House, reiterated that President Trump had no intention of instigating a governmental change in Venezuela. In a recent interview with The Epoch Times, Grenell emphasized, "We are clear about Maduro and his regime, but we will not take any steps to alter it."
Contradictions with Sanctions
Despite these assurances, in July, the Department of the Treasury and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Cártel de los Soles, linked to the military and political circles of Nicolás Maduro, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). According to Washington, this criminal network has exploited the Venezuelan state apparatus to traffic drugs into the United States since the late 1990s.
Balancing Diplomacy and Pressure
Trump's stance presents a complex balance: while explicitly ruling out a regime change strategy in Caracas, his administration has ramped up economic and military pressure on Maduro, accusing him of leading a web of corruption and drug trafficking. The ambiguity in the rhetoric leaves uncertainty about Washington's future actions in Venezuela, especially as the region experiences heightened tensions and the Chavista regime clings to power with support from allies like Cuba, Russia, and China.
Trump's Position on Venezuela
What did Trump say about regime change in Venezuela?
Trump denied having discussed any plans for regime change in Venezuela with his administration, emphasizing that it is not their objective.
How has the U.S. government increased pressure on Maduro?
The U.S. has intensified economic and military pressure on Maduro, including designating the Cártel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
What is the Cártel de los Soles?
The Cártel de los Soles is a criminal network linked to Venezuela's military and political leadership, accused of using the state to traffic drugs to the United States.