Trump says would be 'smart' for Maduro to step down
Bangkok Post
|December 24, 2025
US President Donald Trump said on Monday it would be "smart" for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down, as US naval forces pressed a blockade on the South American country's oil wealth.
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Maduro: Mind your own business
Venezuela's key ally Moscow, however, expressed its "full support" for Mr Maduro's government, as Washington has dialled up military operations and threats against Caracas.
Asked by reporters at his Florida home if Washington's threats were designed to force Mr Maduro to leave office after 12 years, Mr Trump said: "That's up to him, what he wants to do. I think it would be smart for him to do that."
But he added: "If he wants to do something — if he plays tough, it'll be the last time he's ever able to play tough."
Firing back just hours later, Mr Maduro said that Mr Trump would be "better off" if he focused on domestic problems rather than threatening Caracas.
This story is from the December 24, 2025 edition of Bangkok Post.
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