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Trump dismisses Venezuela war but hints at Maduro's uncertain future
President Donald Trump downplayed the likelihood of a U.S. military conflict with Venezuela in a Sunday interview with 60 Minutes, though he suggested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's tenure may be nearing its end. "I doubt it. I don't think so," Trump responded when asked if war was imminent, while accusing Caracas of "treating us very badly."
Caribbean strikes target drug trafficking, administration claims
The remarks coincide with ongoing U.S. airstrikes on vessels suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean, which the Trump administration frames as essential to curbing narcotics entering American borders. Since early September, at least 64 people have died in such operations, according to CBS News, the BBC's U.S. partner.
From his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump defended the strikes, asserting each intercepted boat prevents "25,000 [drug-related deaths] and destroys families all over our country." He evaded questions about potential land-based strikes, stating, "I'm not gonna tell you what I'm gonna do with Venezuela."
Criticism from Maduro and regional allies
Maduro has repeatedly accused Washington of "fabricating a new war," while Colombian President Gustavo Petro claimed the U.S. is using the strikes to assert dominance over Latin America. Trump, meanwhile, emphasized broader security concerns, singling out the Tren de Aragua gang-dubbed "the most vicious gang anywhere in the world"-as a threat emanating from Venezuela.
The president also warned against migration flows, stating, "They come in from the Congo, they come in from all over the world," and vowed to block entry from "gang-infested" regions.
Nuclear testing debate resurfaces
Trump reignited controversy over nuclear weapons testing, telling CBS he intends to resume tests to match rival nations. "Russia's testing, and China's testing, but they don't talk about it," he claimed-despite both countries halting tests in the 1990s. When pressed, he added North Korea and Pakistan to the list of alleged testers, declaring, "I don't want to be the only country that doesn't test."
Energy Secretary Chris Wright later clarified that any U.S. tests would involve "non-critical explosions" to assess weapon components, not full detonations.
Government shutdown blame game continues
Addressing the month-long federal shutdown, Trump blamed Democrats-calling them "crazed lunatics"-but predicted they would "eventually capitulate." The standoff has disrupted services for millions, though Trump dismissed concerns: "And if they don't vote [to end it], that's their problem."
Legal settlement with CBS parent company
The interview marked Trump's first with CBS since suing its parent company, Paramount, over a 2024 Kamala Harris interview he alleged was edited to favor Democrats. Paramount settled for $16 million-earmarked for Trump's future presidential library-without admitting fault. Trump last appeared on 60 Minutes in 2020, when he abruptly ended an interview with Lesley Stahl, citing bias.
