Trump Issues Ultimatum to Maduro: Back Down or Face Consequences in Venezuela

US President Donald Trump has warned Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to stand down from a 'tough' stance, as the US Coast Guard ramps up efforts to intercept oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea. Trump's latest warning came as the Coast Guard continued to pursue a sanctioned oil tanker described as part of Venezuela's 'dark fleet,' which is allegedly evading US sanctions. The US pressure campaign, which began four months ago to curb the flow of illicit drugs from Venezuela, has evolved into a broader effort to isolate the Maduro government. Trump, flanked by top national security officials, emphasized that he remains prepared to escalate the campaign further. "If Maduro decides to play tough, it will be the last time he can do so," Trump said, as he announced plans for the Navy to build a new warship. This warning comes as the US Coast Guard, with assistance from the Navy, has seized two tankers in recent weeks, including the Panama-flagged vessel Centuries and the sanctioned tanker Skipper. The US government claims that these tankers operate on the fringes of the law, moving sanctioned cargo and evading US sanctions. Trump has repeatedly stated that Maduro's days in power are numbered, and has demanded that Venezuela return assets seized from US oil companies. Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Ministry has begun evacuating the families of diplomats from Venezuela, citing a grim assessment of the situation in the country. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil said that he spoke with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, who expressed support for Venezuela against the US blockade. The US campaign has faced criticism from lawmakers and human rights activists, who question the evidence of the targets' involvement in drug smuggling and the legitimacy of the fatal strikes. At least 105 people have been killed in 29 known strikes since September, sparking concerns about extrajudicial killings. As the situation in Venezuela continues to deteriorate, the US pressure campaign shows no signs of abating. The consequences of Maduro's actions, and the US response, remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the clock is ticking for the embattled Venezuelan leader.