US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Jan 3) announced that America has captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores after launching a "large scale strike" on the South American country. While shocking, the "kidnapping" is far from a surprise; just days earlier, he ominously warned the Venezuelan leader to be "smart" and step down or else it would be the "last time he's ever able to play tough."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-they-have-attacked-venezuela-president-gustavo-petro-claims-caracas-under-missile-attack-1767424329941">'They've attacked Venezuela': President Petro says Caracas under missile attack</a><h2>Trump's ominous warning here</h2>On Dec 22, Trump openly suggested that it would be "smart" for Nicolás Maduro to step down, accidentally lending weight to what the Venezuelan President has been claiming for months: the US is looking for regime change in Caracas. &nbsp;Speaking to reporters at his Florida residence, Trump was asked whether the growing US military presence and threats were aimed at forcing Maduro out of office after more than a decade. "That's up to him, what he wants to do," Trump said. "I think it would be smart for him to do that." He followed the comment with a warning, saying that if Maduro chose to "play tough," it would be "the last time he's ever able to play tough."He also suggested that the United States could keep and maybe even sell the oil it had seized off the coast of Venezuela in recent weeks, adding that America would also keep the seized ships. "Maybe we will sell it, maybe we will keep it," Trump said, adding it could be used to restock America's strategic reserves.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-calls-for-mobilisation-of-population-against-peacemaker-trump-s-imperial-aggression-1767428601164">Venezuela calls for 'mobilisation' against Trump's 'imperial aggression'</a><h2>How did Maduro respond?</h2>At the time, Maduro had dismissed the comments as empty threats, saying that Trump should focus inward. In a speech broadcast on state television, the Venezuelan leader said Trump would be "better off" addressing economic and social challenges at home instead of threatening another country. "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," said Maduro.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/venezuela-under-attack-maduro-govt-calls-for-mobilisation-of-population-1767433861055/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/venezuela-under-attack-maduro-govt-calls-for-mobilisation-of-population-1767433861055/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Donald Trump claims the US has captured Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro. The shock announcement follows weeks of threats, seizures, and warnings that this would be Maduro’s “last time” defying Washington. Read ominous warning BELOW.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Jan 3) announced that America has captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores after launching a "large scale strike" on the South American country. While shocking, the "kidnapping" is far from a surprise; just days earlier, he ominously warned the Venezuelan leader to be "smart" and step down or else it would be the "last time he's ever able to play tough." Also read | 'They've attacked Venezuela': President Petro says Caracas under missile attack Trump's ominous warning here On Dec 22, Trump openly suggested that it would be "smart" for Nicolás Maduro to step down, accidentally lending weight to what the Venezuelan President has been claiming for months: the US is looking for regime change in Caracas. Speaking to reporters at his Florida residence, Trump was asked whether the growing US military presence and threats were aimed at forcing Maduro out of office after more than a decade. "That's up to him, what he wants to do," Trump said. "I think it would be smart for him to do that." He followed the comment with a warning, saying that if Maduro chose to "play tough," it would be "the last time he's ever able to play tough." He also suggested that the United States could keep and maybe even sell the oil it had seized off the coast of Venezuela in recent weeks, adding that America would also keep the seized ships. "Maybe we will sell it, maybe we will keep it," Trump said, adding it could be used to restock America's strategic reserves. Also read | Venezuela calls for 'mobilisation' against Trump's 'imperial aggression' How did Maduro respond? At the time, Maduro had dismissed the comments as empty threats, saying that Trump should focus inward. In a speech broadcast on state television, the Venezuelan leader said Trump would be "better off" addressing economic and social challenges at home instead of threatening another country. "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," said Maduro. https://www.wionews.com/videos/venezuela-under-attack-maduro-govt-calls-for-mobilisation-of-population-1767433861055/embed

Donald Trump claims the US has captured Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro. The shock announcement follows weeks of threats, seizures, and warnings that this would be Maduro’s “last time” defying Washington. Read ominous warning BELOW.

Trump's 'ominous warning' before US grabbed Venezuela president Nicolas Maduro and his wife: Be 'smart' or else...

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Dec 22) openly suggested that it would be "smart" for Nicolás Maduro to step down, accidentally lending weight to what the Venezuelan President has been claiming for months: the US is looking for regime change in Caracas. Trump's statement comes as Washington continues to tighten its pressure campaign with a naval blockade targeting Venezuela's oil shipments.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-trump-class-warships-breaking-this-decades-old-us-military-tradition-1766453467061">Trump announces 'Trump-class' warships, breaking THIS decades-old US military tradition</a><h2>What did Trump say?</h2>Speaking to reporters at his Florida residence, Trump was asked whether the growing US military presence and threats were aimed at forcing Maduro out of office after more than a decade. "That's up to him, what he wants to do," Trump said. "I think it would be smart for him to do that." He followed the comment with a warning, saying that if Maduro chose to "play tough," it would be "the last time he's ever able to play tough."He also suggested that the United States could keep and maybe even sell the oil it had seized off the coast of Venezuela in recent weeks, adding that America would also keep the seized ships. "Maybe we will sell it, maybe we will keep it," Trump said, adding it could be used to restock America's strategic reserves.<h2>Maduro claps back at Trump</h2>Maduro responded within hours, dismissing Trump’s comments and urging the US president to focus inward. In a speech broadcast on state television, the Venezuelan leader said Trump would be "better off" addressing economic and social challenges at home instead of threatening another country. "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," said Maduro.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/house-democrats-drop-epstein-photos-from-disturbing-paedophilic-lolita-quotes-on-bosoms-to-price-tag-for-girls-shocking-pics-reveal-bill-gates-1766131614452">Epstein files: Disturbing paedophilic quotes on bosoms to price tags for girls, here's what shocking new pics reveal</a>

Trump said it would be “smart” for Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to step down, as the US tightens a naval blockade on Venezuelan oil. He warned Maduro not to “play tough” and hinted Washington could keep or sell seized oil. Maduro fired back, accusing Trump of chasing regime change.

US President Donald Trump on Monday (Dec 22) openly suggested that it would be "smart" for Nicolás Maduro to step down, accidentally lending weight to what the Venezuelan President has been claiming for months: the US is looking for regime change in Caracas. Trump's statement comes as Washington continues to tighten its pressure campaign with a naval blockade targeting Venezuela's oil shipments. Also read | Trump announces 'Trump-class' warships, breaking THIS decades-old US military tradition What did Trump say? Speaking to reporters at his Florida residence, Trump was asked whether the growing US military presence and threats were aimed at forcing Maduro out of office after more than a decade. "That's up to him, what he wants to do," Trump said. "I think it would be smart for him to do that." He followed the comment with a warning, saying that if Maduro chose to "play tough," it would be "the last time he's ever able to play tough." He also suggested that the United States could keep and maybe even sell the oil it had seized off the coast of Venezuela in recent weeks, adding that America would also keep the seized ships. "Maybe we will sell it, maybe we will keep it," Trump said, adding it could be used to restock America's strategic reserves. Maduro claps back at Trump Maduro responded within hours, dismissing Trump’s comments and urging the US president to focus inward. In a speech broadcast on state television, the Venezuelan leader said Trump would be "better off" addressing economic and social challenges at home instead of threatening another country. "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," said Maduro. Also read | Epstein files: Disturbing paedophilic quotes on bosoms to price tags for girls, here's what shocking new pics reveal

Trump said it would be “smart” for Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to step down, as the US tightens a naval blockade on Venezuelan oil. He warned Maduro not to “play tough” and hinted Washington could keep or sell seized oil. Maduro fired back, accusing Trump of chasing regime change.

Trump says it'll be 'smart' if Maduro steps down, accidentally confirms Venezuela Prez's biggest fear: US wants a regime change

donald-trump-nicolas-maduro

Donald Trump Nicolas Maduro, News on Donald Trump Nicolas Maduro, stories on Donald Trump Nicolas Maduro, articles on Donald Trump Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump Nicolas Maduro stories at Wion, Donald Trump Nicolas Maduro news, Donald Trump Nicolas Maduro latest news

donald trump-nicolas-maduro

Trump's 'ominous warning' before US grabbed Venezuela president Nicolas Maduro and his wife: Be 'smart' or else...

Trump accidentally confirms Maduro's biggest fear: US wants a regime change