Trump secretary says Maduro ‘has to go’ when talking about intercepted oil tankers

Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States Reproduction The Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States, Kristi Noem, stated that the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, “has to leave” power in an interview with the American broadcaster Fox News this Monday (22). When asked about the oil tankers coming from the country being intercepted by the US, Noem stated: “We are not only intercepting ships, but we are also sending a message to the world that the illegal activity in which Maduro participates cannot be tolerated; he has to leave.” Officially, the Trump administration has never confirmed that its military offensive in Venezuela is aimed at regime change. Since August, when the military offensive began in the Caribbean, President Donald Trump and his allies have stated that the focus is on combating drug trafficking and the entry of drugs into American territory. In a recent interview with “Vanity Fair” magazine, Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff, had already suggested that Trump’s true objective is to remove Maduro from power. On Saturday (20), after Kristi Noem posted a video confirming the second interception made by the US, Venezuela released a statement condemning the action, describing it as a serious act of international piracy. Trump government shows action that seized second oil tanker coming from Venezuela The first seizure occurred on the 10th. A week later, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a total blockade of oil tankers from Venezuela and said that the country was completely surrounded. American operations were criticized by Russia and China this Monday. The Chinese government has stated that the “arbitrary seizure” of ships from other countries by the United States constitutes a serious violation of international law. According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country opposes all “unilateral and illegal sanctions” by the US. The Russian government, which had previously expressed its support for Maduro, also reaffirmed its “full support” for Venezuela. Nicolás Maduro is accused by the US of being the leader of the Cartel de los Soles, described as a group linked to drug trafficking, and is offering a reward of US$50 million – the equivalent of R$277 million – for information leading to his capture. The United States Armed Forces have also carried out a series of attacks against vessels believed to be used for drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific. They destroyed around 30 vessels, and at least 104 people died in the attacks.

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