U.S. President Donald Trump. EPA=Yonhap News

As the United States increases military pressure on Venezuela, U.S. President Donald Trump said on December 9 (local time) that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro "is not long for this world."

In an interview with U.S. political news outlet Politico, released on the same day, President Trump, when asked about the ousting of President Maduro, said, "I don't want to answer that," but added the remark.

On December 2, President Trump suggested the possibility of expanding military operations near Venezuela to the Venezuelan mainland to intercept drug trafficking, stating at a cabinet meeting, "We will begin to do these airstrikes on the ground as well."

In the interview on the same day, President Trump was reluctant to comment on the possibility of deploying ground troops into Venezuela, saying, "I don't want to say whether we will do that or rule it out."

He then elaborated on the U.S. goals in Venezuela, stating, "One of the goals is that we want the people of Venezuela to be treated properly. They have been treated terribly by Maduro."

The Trump administration issued an ultimatum to President Maduro, urging him to "resign immediately and go into exile," but President Maduro refused, as reported by U.S. daily The Miami Herald on December 1.

President Trump criticized traditional U.S. allies, European countries, for failing on immigration policies and for not ending the Russia-Ukraine war, stating they are "in decline."

He commented on European leaders, saying, "They seem to be trying too hard to be politically correct. That's what makes them weak."

When asked about additional tariff exemptions following his previous announcement of mutual tariff exemptions on coffee, bananas, and beef, President Trump replied, "Some yes, and some we will raise tariffs."

He emphasized that his tariff policy has led automobile companies to return to the United States.

Politico, reflecting its own reporting and expert analysis, selected the 28 most influential individuals in Europe next year, with President Trump ranking first among them. This interview was conducted at the White House the previous day, following this selection.