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Donald Trump hinted that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro could easily be overthrown by a military coup as the United States stepped up their financial pressure by imposing new sanctions on Maduro's inner circle.
Trump declined to answer questions about the possibility of a US-led military intervention in the country hit by the crisis, but on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly: "C & # 39; is a regime that could be overthrown very quickly by military if the army decides to do it.
"It's really a bad place in today's world."
His comments come after the United States imposed financial sanctions on Maduro's wife, his vice-president, and other Venezuelan figures.
As part of these actions, the United States has banned Americans from doing business and seize any financial assets in the United States owned by First Lady Cilia Flores, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, Minister of Communications Jorge Rodríguez and the Minister of Defense Vladimir. Padrino.
"We continue to appoint loyalists who allow Maduro to consolidate its hold on the army and the government while the Venezuelan people is suffering," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in a statement. "The Treasury will continue to impose a financial toll on those responsible for Venezuela's tragic decline, as well as the networks and men they use to hide their illicit wealth."
During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, the US president criticized Venezuela by stating, "It was not so long ago, Venezuela was one of the richest countries of the planet. Today, socialism has bankrupted the oil-rich country and is driving its people into abject poverty …
"We call on the nations gathered here to join us in calling for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela."
In the past two years, the Trump administration has sanctioned dozens of people, including Maduro himself, for allegations of corruption, drug trafficking and human rights violations.
But until now, she had spared key leaders such as Delcy Rodríguez, as well as Padrino, trained in the United States, believing that they held seats in power and could play a key role in a possible transition .
David Smilde, a professor at Tulane University who has lived and worked for more than two decades in Venezuela, said Tuesday's actions would seem to suggest that the United States has given up sowing division within the government.
"It's a clear break with this strategy," said Smilde. "If everyone is sanctioned, it could end up uniting the government."
Trump, who arrived at the UN General Assembly before his speech on Tuesday, said Venezuela was "a very sad case and we want to see it fixed. What happens is there is a human tragedy. "
But beyond the rallying of Maduro's opponents, the impact of sanctions is unclear.
For more than a year, senior US officials have struggled to gain support for tougher oil sanctions, facing resistance from energy companies still active in the country and fearing the opecan nation will fall into a drug shortage.
As part of the actions announced Tuesday, the US Treasury Department also seized a private jet of $ 20 million belonging to an alleged leader of the powerful leader of the Socialist Party, Diosdado Cabello.
