President Donald Trump predicted that the Cuban government could soon fall, while also threatening the president of Colombia, in a clear warning reflecting his administration's increasingly aggressive approach towards left-wing governments in Latin America, Politico reported. For the sake of completeness, Trump also reiterated his interest in annexing Greenland.
He made the comments aboard Air Force One on his way back to Washington, less than two days after the US military carried out a daring operation in Caracas to arrest Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
„Cuba looks like it's ready to fall.“ Trump said. „I don't know if they can keep it up.“
The president rejected the possibility that the administration would use American forces to hasten the fall of the Cuban government, explaining that Venezuela is Cuba's main economic supporter. „Cuba survives only thanks to Venezuela,“ Trump added.
Many presidents have predicted the fall of communist rule, yet Havana survived the collapse of the Soviet Union. Trump's statements, however, show that his administration not only expects regime change in several countries, but openly hopes for it, despite uncertainty about Venezuela's future.
„Do not ask me who is currently in power in Venezuela, as this will be controversial.“ Trump said. „We are in power.“
Trump said he wants to rebuild the country – especially its oil infrastructure – before the elections take place so that people can elect their leader. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that the steel and aluminium industries could be revived for the benefit of the US. For now, however, Trump is willing to work with Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's interim president and vice-president.
Trump expects Rodriguez and the new Venezuelan government to grant the US unrestricted access to the country so that American forces can assist with reconstruction efforts.
„But if they don't behave, we'll strike again.“ the President added.
The administration claims that targeting Maduro was largely an effort to stop drug trafficking. Trump also threatened Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who openly criticised the US operation in Venezuela.
„Colombia is also very sick – it is ruled by a sick man who likes to produce cocaine and send it to the US, and he won't be doing that for much longer.“ Trump said.
And just hours after the Danish prime minister criticised Trump for threatening to annex Greenland, the president said that the United States „needs“ the autonomous Danish territory.
„We need Greenland for national security reasons.“ Trump said. „The EU needs us to have Greenland.“
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