Trump wants to topple our government — Venezuelan official

Venezuela’s attorney general, Tarek William Saab, has accused United States president, Donald Trump of attempting to overthrow the country’s government, insisting there is “no doubt” about his intentions.

In an interview with the BBC, Saab, a close ally of President Nicolás Maduro, claimed that Trump seeks to turn Venezuela into a “colony” of the United States.

Trump has previously accused Maduro of leading a drug-trafficking organisation, an allegation the Venezuelan leader denies. Growing tensions have sparked fears in Caracas that the recent US military build-up in the Caribbean could be aimed at removing Maduro, who has long been a vocal critic of Trump.

The US government said it had killed at least 43 people in strikes targeting alleged drug boats off South America, with Trump stating that the US is “looking at land now” after getting “the sea very well under control.”

When asked about the possibility of a land invasion, Saab told the BBC’s Newshour programme that “it shouldn’t happen, but we are prepared.” 

He added that Venezuela was “still ready to resume dialogue” with Washington despite what he described as its “illegitimate” campaign against drug trafficking.

The United States is among several countries that do not recognise Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president, following a 2024 election widely dismissed as neither free nor fair. 

Opposition counts from polling stations reportedly showed its candidate winning by a landslide.

Saab further accused Washington of seeking regime change to seize Venezuela’s vast natural resources, including gold, oil and copper reserves.

Meanwhile, several US lawmakers have expressed concern over the legality of Trump’s recent strikes and questioned his authority to order them. 

Republican Senator, Lindsey Graham told reporters that future land operations were a “real possibility,” adding that Trump plans to brief Congress on upcoming military actions upon returning from Asia.

Over the past two months, the US has deployed warships, fighter jets, marines, spy planes, bombers, and drones to the Caribbean, describing the move as part of a crackdown on drug trafficking and “narco-terrorists.” Analysts, however, view it as part of a broader pressure campaign to oust Maduro.

President Maduro has accused Washington of “fabricating war” after it ordered the deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest warship, to the Caribbean.

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On Sunday, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely arrived in Trinidad and Tobago, located just off Venezuela’s coast, marking the largest US military presence in the region in decades. The vessel is expected to remain until Thursday for joint training exercises.

In response, Venezuela issued a statement condemning what it described as “a military provocation by Trinidad and Tobago in coordination with the CIA.” 

The government also claimed to have captured a “mercenary group with direct information from the US intelligence agency” and alleged that a “false flag attack is underway” in waters between both countries.

Maduro has made similar claims before, including an alleged plot to plant explosives at the US embassy in Caracas earlier this month.

(BBC)

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