U.S. President Donald Trump defended his administration’s policy toward Venezuela and once again attacked Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom he described as “almost the worst person on Earth” at the time of his capture.
Speaking during a dinner with Republican lawmakers at the White House, Trump said the United States had “taken” Venezuela and claimed that oil extracted since the military operation had already covered several times its cost.
“We’re working very well with Venezuela, but that was an attack; we took Maduro, who was almost the worst person on Earth at that time, and we took him out,” Trump said.
Trump also referred to Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, while discussing their legal cases. He said both could face additional charges and claimed they were being accused of serious crimes.
“His wife, too… She was a great leader, and they’re going to trial and they’re being charged with very serious crimes,” Trump said.
The U.S. president again accused Maduro’s government of emptying Venezuelan prisons and sending criminals to the United States through criminal organizations such as the Tren de Aragua.
Trump concluded by saying that Venezuela is now “doing better than it has in many years.”
