DONALD Trump has threatened possible military action against Colombia as he warned Venezuela’s new leader she could face consequences “probably bigger than Maduro”.
Don’s warnings came as the captured Venezuelan tyrant prepares to appear in a US courtroom on Monday.
Donald Trump threatened military action against Colombia, calling its leader ‘sick’Credit: Getty
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, will appear in a US court on MondayCredit: Reuters
Trump warned Venezuela’s new leader, Delcy Rodríguez (right), of severe consequencesCredit: AFP
Nicolás Maduro is due to make his first appearance in a US federal court in New York on Monday after being seized by American forces in a surprise weekend operation in Caracas, according to US officials.
The toppled despot, who has denied all wrongdoing, is expected before a Manhattan judge at noon on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy.
His wife, Cilia Flores, was also captured and faces similar federal charges.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said on social media on Saturday that Maduro and Flores “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts”.
US prosecutors allege Maduro used his position over more than two decades to facilitate the flow of cocaine into the United States.
The accusations were first filed during Trump’s first term and updated following his capture.
As the court appearance looms, Trump dramatically escalated his rhetoric on Sunday, warning Venezuela’s incoming leader Delcy Rodríguez that she could meet an even harsher fate if she fails to cooperate with Washington.
Trump told The Atlantic in a phone interview: “If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.”
Rodríguez, who served as Maduro’s vice president and is backed by Venezuela’s Supreme Court and military, is expected to be sworn in as interim president in Caracas on Monday morning.
She has publicly called for cooperation with the US but has also rejected claims that Venezuela would hand over control of its natural resources.
“We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of co-operation orientated towards shared development within the framework of international law,” Rodríguez said at her first cabinet meeting.
Trump, however, suggested the United States is already in control.
“Don’t ask me who’s in charge because I’ll give you a very controversial answer,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.
“It means we’re in charge.”
He added that US oil companies would move back into Venezuela to rebuild its energy sector, saying: “They’re going to spend billions of dollars and they’re going to take the oil out of the ground.”
The president also left open the possibility of further US strikes in Venezuela if the new leadership does not comply with American demands to curb drug trafficking and open the oil industry.
At the same time, Trump widened his threats to Venezuela’s neighbours, singling out Colombia during remarks on Air Force One.
“Colombia is very sick, too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he’s not going to be doing it very long,” Trump said.
Asked if military action was an option, he replied: “It sounds good to me.”
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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