Targeting Maduro, Trump Warns: "His Days Are Numbered"

Politico Interview
Criticizes European Nations as "In Decline"
Considering Additional Tariff Exemptions

Donald Trump, President of the United States (left), and Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

On December 9 (local time), United States President Donald Trump, who has been pressuring Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro under the pretext of cracking down on drug cartels, declared that "his days are numbered." This marks his second warning within a week, following his earlier suggestion on December 2 of a possible direct military attack on Venezuelan territory.

'Considering the Deployment of Ground Troops'

In an interview with the U.S. political media outlet Politico, which was released on this day, President Trump was asked about the removal of President Maduro. He replied, "I don't want to answer that," but nevertheless made this statement. The interview was arranged after Trump was ranked first in Politico's "POLITICO 28: Class of 2025," a list of the 28 most influential people moving Europe.

Regarding the possibility of deploying ground troops to Venezuela, he said, "I don't want to say whether I will do it or rule it out," choosing his words carefully. As for the United States' objective in Venezuela, he emphasized that Venezuelans should be treated properly, asserting, "They have been treated terribly by Maduro."

President Trump has continued to apply intense pressure on President Maduro. Maintaining economic sanctions, including blocking oil exports, the United States attacked vessels near the Venezuelan coast that were identified as "drug-carrying ships," resulting in at least 83 deaths. In a cabinet meeting on December 2, Trump stated, "We are going to start conducting such airstrikes on the ground as well," hinting at the possibility of expanding military operations to the mainland.

President Maduro, for his part, rejected the U.S. ultimatum, which included "immediate resignation and exile," according to a report by the Miami Herald on December 1. Maduro demanded a "global amnesty" guaranteeing that neither he nor his associates would be prosecuted anywhere in the world for their crimes, as well as the retention of military control, but the United States reportedly rejected these demands immediately.

"Some Additional Tariff Exemptions Beyond Coffee and Bananas"

Trump also reaffirmed his intention to demand an interest rate cut from the next Federal Reserve Chair. Since taking office this year, President Trump has repeatedly called for significant rate cuts, and when Chair Jerome Powell refused, Trump publicly clashed with him. Powell's term runs until May next year, and Trump is openly supporting Kevin Hassett, Chairman of the White House National Economic Council (NEC), who is known as "Trump's economic advisor."

When asked if "an immediate rate cut is a litmus test for nominating a chair," Trump replied, "Yes." He added, "The current chair (Jerome Powell) should do it too. But he (Chair Powell) is neither smart nor likes me. That's because I strongly criticized him for not doing his job well."

Regarding the possibility of additional tariff exemptions, Trump answered, "Some will be exempted, and some tariffs will be raised." He emphasized that, thanks to his tariff policy, automobile companies are returning to the United States. Previously, the Trump administration announced reciprocal tariff exemptions last month on coffee, bananas, and beef to stabilize prices.

On the issue of inflation, Trump stated, "Democrats only complain about affordability but do nothing," and argued, "They are the ones who caused high inflation, while I am lowering prices."

"Europe Failing on Immigration Policy and Ending the Russia-Ukraine War"

Additionally, President Trump criticized European countries, traditional U.S. allies, for failing in their immigration policies and for not bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to an end, saying they are "in decline." Regarding European leaders, he commented, "They seem to be trying too hard to appear politically correct," and added, "That is exactly what makes them weak."

Politico selected 28 individuals expected to have the greatest influence in Europe next year, based on its own reporting and expert analysis, with President Trump ranked number one. The interview was conducted at the White House the previous day to mark this occasion.