Trump Threatens Military Action in Nigeria and Warns Venezuelan President

SadaNews - President Donald Trump discussed several international issues during a television interview and statements to reporters aboard Air Force One, accusing Russia and China of conducting secret nuclear tests, threatening military action in Nigeria, and warning Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that his days in power are numbered, while praising Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, indicating that he would host him at the White House.

In an interview with the "60 Minutes" program on CBS, in response to a question about his sudden order to the Department of Defense last Thursday to resume nuclear tests, he said, "Russia is conducting tests, and China is conducting tests, but they are not talking about them."

He added, "No one necessarily knows where they are conducting the tests; they are doing them underground where people do not know what is happening in them."

"Maduro's Days Are Numbered"

On another note, the American president sent conflicting signals regarding potential U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

When asked if the United States intends to wage war on Venezuela, he replied, "I doubt that, I don't think so."

However, when asked if Maduro's days in power are numbered, Trump responded, "I can say yes, I think so, yes."

The United States accuses the Venezuelan president of drug trafficking, but he denies this, saying Washington is inventing excuses to change the regime in Caracas to seize Venezuelan oil.

More than 15 U.S. airstrikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea have resulted in the deaths of at least 65 people in recent weeks, the latest being this past Saturday, prompting criticisms from governments in the region.

Military Options in Nigeria

In other remarks aboard Air Force One, Trump reiterated his threat to carry out military action in Nigeria under the pretext of defending Christians there, even though the Nigerian presidency expressed a desire to meet with him to resolve the issue.

When asked if he is considering deploying ground troops or conducting airstrikes in Nigeria, the American president replied, "It could be, I mean perhaps other things too, I envision a lot of things, they are killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria, they are killing Christians in very large numbers, we will not allow that to happen."

Praise for the Syrian President

On another matter, Trump said, "The Syrian President (Ahmad al-Sharaa) might come to the White House, and he is working hard."

He continued, "We lifted sanctions on Syria to give it a chance, and I heard that its president is doing very well."

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani confirmed that President Ahmad al-Sharaa will visit the White House this month to discuss the reconstruction of the country.

Uncertainty Regarding Ukraine

On another note, Trump said he is not currently considering supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, but added that he may change his mind.

The range of Tomahawk missiles is 2,500 kilometers, giving Ukraine the capability to strike deep into Russia, including the capital Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested these missiles from Washington, but Russia has warned that sending them to Kyiv would have severe consequences.

Source: Agencies