President Donald Trump on December 22, 2025, urged Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to step down, warning that choosing to “play tough” could bring serious consequences.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said it would be “smart” for Maduro to leave power, while noting that the decision is ultimately up to the Venezuelan leader.
The comments come amid an intensifying U.S. campaign against Venezuela, including naval deployments in the Caribbean, sanctions on key Venezuelan entities, and recent seizures of oil tankers allegedly violating U.S. rules.
Washington frames these actions largely as counternarcotics measures, but Caracas views them as part of a broader attempt to pressure Maduro out of office.
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Maduro has rejected U.S. threats, urging Trump to focus on domestic issues in the United States.
Meanwhile, Russia and China have expressed support for Maduro’s government, with Moscow pledging backing just as the U.N. Security Council prepared to discuss the crisis.
Analysts note that Trump’s statements mark a hardening of U.S. policy toward Venezuela, signaling that removing Maduro from power is increasingly a strategic objective, not merely a matter of sanctions enforcement.