Maduro responds to Trump: Mind your own business in America and leave Venezuela alone
In a new chapter of the ongoing tension between Caracas and Washington, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro launched a scathing attack on his American counterpart, Donald Trump, demanding that he address the internal crises plaguing the United States instead of interfering in Venezuelan affairs, in a direct response to Trump’s recent statements calling on him to step down from power.
Maduro: America's internal affairs are the priority
In a televised address, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, speaking with a defiant tone, addressed the US president, saying, "It would be better for President Trump to focus on the economic and social issues in his own country and to mind his own business." Maduro indicated that the United States faces numerous challenges requiring presidential attention, and asserted that Washington's persistent attempts at regime change in Venezuela are merely an effort to evade its domestic responsibilities.
Trump and calls for his resignation
This Venezuelan response came after remarks made by US President Donald Trump to reporters at his residence in Florida. When asked whether US pressure was aimed at ending Maduro's 12-year rule, Trump's response was brief and direct: "It's up to him to decide what he wants to do. I think it would be wise for him to step down." These remarks reflect the continuation of the US policy of not recognizing Maduro's legitimacy and attempting to isolate him internationally.
Context of the historical conflict between the two countries
This verbal sparring cannot be understood in isolation from the historically tense context of relations between the two countries, which has escalated sharply in recent years. Since Maduro assumed power following the death of Hugo Chávez, the United States has imposed a series of harsh economic sanctions on Venezuela, primarily targeting the oil sector, the lifeblood of the Venezuelan economy, as well as senior government officials.
Washington accuses the Maduro regime of human rights abuses and undermining democracy, while Caracas describes the US moves as "imperialist" aimed at controlling Venezuela's vast oil wealth, which is the largest in the world in terms of proven reserves.
Geopolitical dimensions of the crisis
The dispute between Maduro and Trump transcends the personal dimension, forming part of a broader international power struggle. While the United States and many Western countries support the Venezuelan opposition, Maduro enjoys strong backing from major international powers such as Russia and China, as well as regional allies like Cuba. This international alignment makes the Venezuelan crisis a hotspot in global geopolitics, with observers noting that Maduro's resilience against US pressure depends heavily on this external support. This makes US calls for his resignation merely another episode in a long-running political tug-of-war, the price of which is paid by the Venezuelan people economically and socially.
