Donald Trump has dismissed suggestions that the United States plans to go to war with Venezuela, while hinting that Nicolás Maduro’s presidency may be coming to an end. Speaking to CBS’ 60 Minutes, Trump said: “I doubt it. I don’t think so. But they’ve been treating us very badly.”
US increases strikes on drug-smuggling vessels
Trump’s remarks came as Washington stepped up attacks on boats suspected of smuggling drugs across the Caribbean. The administration says the strikes aim to stop narcotics from entering the United States. Critics argue the operations are part of a broader effort to pressure Maduro. Trump rejected that, insisting the missions serve “many purposes.”
Since early September, at least 64 people have died in US strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, according to American media reports. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump defended the campaign, claiming every destroyed vessel prevents “25,000 deaths from drugs” and protects families across the nation.
Trump keeps options on military action open
When asked if he might authorize strikes on Venezuelan soil, Trump refused 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 “creating a new war,” while Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the US is using the strikes to “dominate” Latin America.
Migration and gangs top Trump’s concerns
Trump also addressed migration, promising tighter border control. “They come in from the Congo, they come in from all over the world, not just from South America,” he said. He singled out Venezuela as a source of criminal activity, naming the violent group Tren de Aragua. Trump called it “the most vicious gang anywhere in the world.”
Nuclear weapons testing returns to discussion
The conversation turned to nuclear weapons after Trump urged the US to resume testing. Asked if the country would detonate a nuclear device for the first time in over 30 years, he 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.” Though both countries have not officially tested since the 1990s, Trump insisted, “They don’t go and tell you about it.” He said the US cannot be “the only country that doesn’t test,” adding North Korea and Pakistan to the list of suspected testers.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright later clarified that any testing would involve “non-critical explosions” to verify nuclear weapons’ internal systems.
Democrats blamed for prolonged government shutdown
Trump also addressed the ongoing US government shutdown, now lasting over a month and leaving millions without essential services. He blamed Democrats, calling them “crazed lunatics” who have “lost their way.” Trump predicted they would eventually vote to reopen the government. “And if they don’t vote, that’s their problem,” he said.
Lawsuit with CBS still echoes
This interview marked Trump’s first appearance on CBS since he sued its parent company, Paramount, over a 2024 broadcast with then Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump accused the network of editing the interview to “favor the Democratic Party.”
Paramount agreed to pay $16 million (£13.5 million) to settle the lawsuit, directing the funds to Trump’s planned presidential library rather than to 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, accusing the program of bias. He refused to grant the network an interview during the 2024 election campaign.
