It would be 'smart' for Venezuela's Maduro to step down, says Trump

US dials up military ops against Caracas as Russia expresses support for Maduro's govt

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US President Donald Trump said on Dec 22 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.

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.”

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 his own country’s problems rather than threatening Caracas.

“He would be better off in his own country on economic and social issues, and he would be better off in the world if he took care of his country’s affairs,” Mr Maduro said in a speech broadcast on public television.

The pledge from Moscow, which is embroiled in the war in Ukraine, came on the eve of a UN Security Council meeting on Dec 23 to discuss the mounting crisis.