(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has minimized the likelihood of the United States going to war with Venezuela, though he hinted that Nicolás Maduro’s tenure as president may be limited.

Asked directly about a potential conflict during an interview, he said, “I doubt it. I don't think so. But they've been treating us very badly.”

The remarks come amid ongoing US strikes on vessels accused of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean. The administration maintains that these operations are intended to curb the flow of narcotics into the country. Trump dismissed claims that the military actions were primarily aimed at removing Maduro, asserting that the strikes were about “many things.” Reports indicate that at least 64 people have died in US operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since early September.

From his Mar-a-Lago residence, Trump stated: “Every single boat that you see that's shot down kills 25,000 on drugs and destroys families all over our country.” When asked whether strikes on Venezuelan territory were being considered, he refused to rule it out, adding, “I'm not gonna tell you what I'm gonna do with Venezuela, if I was gonna do it or if I wasn't going to do it.”

Trump criticized the Maduro government, claiming it has allowed criminal gangs to flourish.

“They come in from the Congo, they come in from all over the world, they're coming, not just from South America. But Venezuela in particular - has been bad. They have gangs,” he said, referring to the Tren de Aragua cartel and calling it “the most vicious gang anywhere in the world.”

The president also addressed nuclear weapons, reiterating calls for the US to resume testing in line with other countries such as Russia and China. “I'm saying that we're going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do, yes,” Trump said. “Russia's testing, and China's testing, but they don't talk about it.” He added, “They don't go and tell you about it,” and insisted, “I don't want to be the only country that doesn't test,” also mentioning North Korea and Pakistan.

Trump’s energy secretary, Chris Wright, clarified that any planned nuclear trials would not involve detonations. He described them as “non-critical explosions” on components to ensure they “deliver the appropriate geometry and they set up the nuclear explosion.”

The interview also covered the ongoing US government shutdown, which has lasted over a month, affecting millions of citizens. Trump blamed Democrats for the stalemate, labeling them “crazed lunatics” who have “lost their way,” while suggesting they would ultimately vote to end the shutdown. “And if they don't vote, that's their problem,” he added.

This marked Trump’s first interview with CBS since filing a lawsuit against its parent company over a 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, which he claimed was edited to “tip the scales in favour of the Democratic Party.” The lawsuit was settled for $16 million, allocated to Trump’s future presidential library, without any apology issued.

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