Trump says it would be “smart” for Venezuela’s Maduro to step aside

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that it would be “smart” for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to step aside, as US naval forces tightened a blockade targeting the country’s oil exports.

Speaking to reporters at his Florida residence, Trump said Washington’s pressure was not meant to dictate Maduro’s fate. “That’s up to him, what he wants to do. I think it would be smart for him to do that,” he said, warning that any show of defiance would be short-lived. “If he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough.”

Maduro quickly rejected the remarks, saying Trump should focus on domestic economic and social issues rather than threatening Venezuela. In a speech aired on state television, he said the US president would be “better off” addressing his own country’s problems instead of interfering abroad.

Russia, Venezuela’s key ally, meanwhile reaffirmed its “full support” for Maduro’s government, even as the United States escalated military operations against Caracas. The statement came ahead of a UN Security Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the growing crisis.

According to Russia’s foreign ministry, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil held a phone call in which they condemned recent US actions, including strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking and the seizure of two oil tankers. A third ship was being pursued, a US official said.

The ministers expressed “deep concern” over what Moscow described as Washington’s escalating actions in the Caribbean, warning of potential consequences for regional stability and international shipping. Russia said it would coordinate closely with Venezuela on the international stage, particularly at the United Nations.

Since September, US forces have launched attacks on boats Washington claims were involved in drug trafficking, allegations it has not publicly substantiated. More than 100 people have been killed in the operations, according to families and governments, some of whom say the victims were fishermen.

On December 16, Trump also announced a blockade of “sanctioned oil vessels” traveling to and from Venezuela, accusing Maduro’s government of using oil revenues to fund criminal activities. He has also suggested the United States wants Venezuela’s oil “back,” a reference to the country’s nationalization of its petroleum sector.

Caracas has accused Washington of seeking regime change and described the US actions as “international piracy.” Russia and China have backed Venezuela’s request for a UN Security Council meeting to address what it calls ongoing US aggression.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Gil said the US measures amounted to violations of international law, including attacks on vessels and acts of piracy. He added that Lavrov had reiterated Moscow’s “full support” amid what he called hostilities against Venezuela.

Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed Russia’s backing of Caracas, saying Washington was not concerned about escalation with Moscow, which he said was preoccupied with the war in Ukraine.

In a letter read on state television on Monday, Maduro warned UN member states that the US blockade could disrupt global oil and energy supplies.