Trump suggests Maduro's presidency nearing its end amid tensions

US President Donald Trump has suggested that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's tenure may be approaching its conclusion, commenting during a televised interview that aired Sunday. When questioned by CBS News' Norah O'Donnell about whether Maduro's days as Venezuela's leader were numbered, Trump responded affirmatively while simultaneously distancing himself from speculation about potential military intervention in the South American country.

Ambiguous Stance on Military Action

The American president declined to provide definitive answers regarding possible land strikes against Venezuelan territory, stating he was "not inclined" to confirm such operations while carefully avoiding either confirmation or denial of the prospect. Trump's ambiguous comments follow his Friday denial of media reports suggesting imminent attacks on Venezuelan military installations, maintaining that no final decision had been reached regarding military action against the Caracas government.

Accusations and Counterclaims

The Trump administration has consistently accused Maduro of leadership involvement with the Cartel de los Soles, designating the organization as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group in July. These allegations form the basis of Washington's "narco-terrorism" campaign that has included at least 14 military strikes since early September, resulting in over 64 fatalities according to official reports. Maduro has vehemently denied all accusations, characterizing them as fabricated pretexts for American aggression.

International Criticism and Legal Challenges

The United States' military operations in the region have drawn criticism from international human rights organizations and legal experts who question their legality under international law. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has condemned the attacks as "unacceptable" and called for independent investigations into what his office describes as extrajudicial killings. The situation remains tense with continued US military movements near Venezuela's coastline and escalating rhetorical exchanges between the two governments.