Trump 'thinks' Maduro days limited, while claiming no war with Caracas

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
Today 04:34

Trump dismisses likelihood of war with Venezuela but warns that President Maduro's time in power may be limited amid military actions in the Caribbean.

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President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP)

US President Donald Trump has dismissed the likelihood of direct military conflict with Venezuela, even as Washington intensifies its military operations in the Caribbean and continues threatening President Nicolás Maduro and his government.

Trump threatens Maduro, says 'days numbered'

In a 60 Minutes interview aired Sunday, Trump was asked whether the United States was preparing for war against Venezuela, following a series of aggressive military deployments in the region.

“I doubt it. I don’t think so,” Trump said, while accusing Venezuela of sending “people from prisons” into the United States, a claim yet to be verified.

When asked if his administration’s operations were focused on combating drug trafficking or on removing Maduro from power, Trump replied it was about “many things.” He went on to suggest that Maduro’s time in power was limited, stating, “I would say yeah. I think so, yeah,” when asked if the Venezuelan leader's days were numbered.

US expands military footprint in Caribbean

Despite Trump’s denial of war intentions, recent US actions indicate a clear escalation.

The United States has expanded its military presence in the Caribbean to nearly 16,000 personnel. According to The Washington Post, Pentagon data indicate that as of October 31, around 10,000 US troops and 6,000 sailors have been stationed in the region, excluding forces based in Puerto Rico.

The deployment includes eight US Navy warships and a nuclear-powered attack submarine, with the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier expected next week. The buildup marks one of Washington's largest regional mobilizations in recent years, officially described as part of an expanded campaign against drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Latin America.

According to The Hill, the US has also flown two B-1 Lancer bombers from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas near Venezuela’s coast. While flight tracking data confirmed their presence, Trump dismissed media reports as “false,” yet reaffirmed that his administration was “not happy with Venezuela for a lot of reasons. Drugs being one of them.”