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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, denied on Thursday having discussed with members of his government the possibility of a "regime change" in Venezuela, according to the agency EFE.
The president responded to the press aboard Air Force One during his return to Washington after a state visit to the United Kingdom.
The statement comes amid a growing tension in the Caribbean. Last Tuesday, Trump asserted that U.S. military forces sunk three vessels coming from Venezuela allegedly linked to drug trafficking in Caribbean waters.
"We are not seeking a regime change."
In February, the official Richard Grenell, who traveled to Caracas as a special envoy from the White House, also stated that the U.S. president has no intention of promoting a change of government in Venezuela. In a recent interview with The Epoch Times, Grenell emphasized: “We are clear about Maduro and his regime, but we will not do anything to change it.”
The contradiction with the sanctions
Despite these statements, in July, the Department of the Treasury and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Cártel de los Soles, linked to the military and political environment of Nicolás Maduro, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
According to Washington, this criminal structure has used the Venezuelan state apparatus as a cover to traffic drugs to the United States since the late 1990s.
Between diplomacy and pressure
Trump's position reflects a complex balance: on one hand, he openly dismisses a regime change plan in Caracas; on the other, his administration intensifies economic and military pressure on Maduro, whom he accuses of leading a network of corruption and drug trafficking.
The ambiguity of the discourse keeps uncertainty about Washington's future actions in Venezuela open, at a time when the region is experiencing a rise in tensions and Chavismo clings to power with the support of allies such as Cuba, Russia, and China.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation Between the United States and Venezuela
Is Trump considering a regime change in Venezuela?
Donald Trump denied having discussed a regime change in Venezuela. Despite the economic and military pressure his government exerts on Nicolás Maduro, Trump has openly dismissed any plan for regime change in Caracas, although the military deployment in the region and the sanctions continue to escalate tensions.
What actions has the United States taken against the Cartel of the Suns?
The United States has designated the Cartel of the Suns as a foreign terrorist organization. This cartel, linked to the military and political environment of Nicolás Maduro, has been accused of using the Venezuelan state apparatus to traffic drugs into the United States. The Trump administration has intensified its anti-drug operations in the Caribbean, including the deployment of warships and aircraft to contain drug trafficking.
What are the consequences of the sinking of Venezuelan vessels by the U.S.?
The sinking of Venezuelan vessels has heightened tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. The Trump administration has justified these actions as necessary measures to curb the flow of narcotics into the United States. However, these operations have raised concerns about their legality and potential abuses of power, as well as protests from the Venezuelan government, which sees them as provocations and part of an aggressive policy.
How has Maduro's regime responded to the accusations of drug trafficking?
The Maduro regime has denied the drug trafficking accusations. Nicolás Maduro and his government have categorically rejected the allegations of being involved in drug trafficking activities and have denounced the actions of the U.S. as a campaign of disinformation and media manipulation. Furthermore, they accuse Washington of fabricating incidents to justify sanctions and military operations in the Caribbean.
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