January 6, 2026 | 10:50 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - United States President Donald Trump has opened the possibility of a second attack on Venezuela following the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro by the U.S. forces last weekend. Maduro is scheduled to have his first court appearance before a federal judge in New York on Monday, January 5th. The abduction was reportedly carried out through a military operation in Caracas.
According to a TRT World report, Trump said on Sunday that he could order a second strike if Venezuela does not cooperate with the U.S., particularly regarding the opening of the oil industry and the cessation of drug trafficking. This threat was made a day before Maduro was brought to a U.S. court.
"If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro," said Trump.
U.S. officials also stated that the operation aimed to bring Maduro to court on charges from 2020, accusing him of being involved in a drug terrorism conspiracy. However, Trump acknowledged that there were other factors behind the operation, including the entry of Venezuelan immigrants into the United States and America's oil interests several decades ago.
Threats to the Acting President of Venezuela
Pressure was also directed at the Vice President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, who became the acting leader.
When asked if he had spoken with Rodriguez, Trump responded to reporters, "We're dealing with the people who just got sworn in. Don't ask me who’s in charge because I'll give you an answer and it'll be very controversial."
He also added, "It means we're in charge."
Meanwhile, Delcy Rodriguez called for balanced and mutually respectful relations with the United States. "We consider it a priority to move toward a balanced and respectful relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela," Rodriguez wrote on Telegram. She also invited Washington to cooperate in joint development agendas.
Threats to Colombia, Mexico, and Cuba
As reported by CNA, Trump also threatened the possibility of military action against Colombia and Mexico.
The Colombian and Mexican embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Regarding Colombia, Trump called the country led by "sick people" and said a military operation "sounds good to me," referring to Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
Trump also mentioned Cuba, stating that Cuba is "ready to collapse" after the United States captured its main ally leader, Venezuela, and underestimated the need for military action. "I don't think we need any action. It looks like it's going down," said Trump. He also mentioned that Havana would struggle to survive without the subsidized supply of Venezuelan oil.
The Cuban government stated that 32 of its citizens died in the U.S. attack in Caracas. In a statement read on national television, Havana called it a criminal attack carried out by the United States government against Venezuela.
Read: EU Urges Restraint, Respect for International Law After US Attack on Venezuela
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