Donald Trump has rejected claims that the United States plans to go to war with Venezuela but hinted that President Nicolás Maduro’s leadership may soon collapse. Speaking on CBS’ 60 Minutes, Trump said: “I doubt it. I don’t think so. But they’ve been treating us very badly.”
US boosts military operations in the Caribbean
Trump’s remarks come as Washington intensifies strikes on boats accused of smuggling drugs across the Caribbean. The US government insists these missions aim to disrupt drug trafficking into the country. Critics believe the strikes are part of a broader effort to pressure Maduro. Trump dismissed that claim, saying the actions serve “many purposes.”
At least 64 people have died in US operations across the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific since early September, according to American media reports. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump defended the military campaign, saying each destroyed vessel saves “25,000 lives from drugs” and protects American families.
Trump refuses to rule out further action
When asked if he would authorize strikes inside Venezuela, Trump declined to answer directly. “I wouldn’t be inclined to say that I would do that… I’m not gonna tell you what I’m gonna do with Venezuela, if I was gonna do it or if I wasn’t going to do it,” he said.
Maduro accused Washington of “inventing a new war,” while Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned that the United States seeks to “control” Latin America through these operations.
Migration and security dominate Trump’s warnings
Trump also addressed migration, promising tougher border policies. “They come in from the Congo, they come in from all over the world, not just from South America,” he said. He described Venezuela as a major source of criminal activity, pointing to violent groups such as Tren de Aragua. Trump called it “the most vicious gang anywhere in the world.”
Trump reignites nuclear testing debate
The discussion turned to nuclear weapons as Trump renewed calls for the US to resume testing. Asked if he planned for the US to detonate a nuclear device for the first time in more than 30 years, Trump said: “We’re going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do, yes.”
He added: “Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it.” Although both nations have not officially tested since the 1990s, Trump insisted, “They don’t go and tell you about it.” He said he would not let the US be “the only country that doesn’t test,” mentioning North Korea and Pakistan as well.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright later clarified that any potential tests would involve “non-critical explosions,” designed to verify nuclear weapons’ internal safety and performance.
Trump blames Democrats for shutdown crisis
Trump also spoke about the ongoing government shutdown, now lasting more than a month and affecting millions of Americans. He blamed Democrats for the deadlock, calling them “crazed lunatics” who have “lost their way.” Trump said he expects them to eventually vote to end the shutdown. “And if they don’t vote, that’s their problem,” he said.
Trump revisits feud with major US network
This was Trump’s first appearance on CBS since he sued its parent company, Paramount, over a 2024 interview with then Vice President Kamala Harris. He accused the network of editing the interview to “favor the Democratic Party.”
Paramount later agreed to pay $16 million (£13.5 million) to settle the case, with the money allocated to Trump’s future presidential library instead of him personally. The settlement did not include an apology.
Trump last appeared on 60 Minutes in 2020, when he walked out of an interview with journalist Lesley Stahl, claiming bias. He refused to take part in the program during the 2024 election campaign.
