United States President Donald Trump has said it would be “smart” for Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro to step down amid rising tensions between Washington and Caracas. Speaking to reporters at his Mar a Lago resort in Florida, Trump said the decision ultimately rests with Maduro but warned that defiance would carry serious consequences.
Asked whether US actions were aimed at forcing Maduro from power, Trump replied that it would probably be wise for the Venezuelan leader to leave office. He added that if Maduro “plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough,” in one of his starkest warnings yet.
The comments come as US naval forces step up operations around Venezuela, including a tightened maritime blockade targeting the country’s oil shipments. Washington has also carried out more than two dozen strikes on vessels it accuses of drug trafficking in waters near the South American nation.
Russia and China, key allies of Caracas, have condemned the US pressure campaign and restated their support for Maduro’s government. Moscow described the moves as destabilising and called for respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty, while Beijing urged dialogue instead of threats.
Maduro has rejected Trump’s remarks, saying the US president should focus on his own country’s economic and social problems instead of threatening Venezuela. He insisted he would not be intimidated by foreign pressure and accused Washington of seeking control over Venezuela’s vast oil wealth.
Trump’s latest warning follows earlier statements in which he said Maduro’s “days are numbered” and hinted at more measures if there is no political transition. The standoff raises fears of further escalation in a country already struggling with a deep economic crisis, sanctions and political division.
About the author
Shank Comics claims Bovi Basketmouth are richer than Asake Wizkid
Skit maker and streamer Shank Comics says leading Nigerian comedians like Bovi Ugboma and Basketmouth are wealthier than some of the country’s biggest music stars, including Asake and Wizkid . Speaking during a recent livestream, Shank argued that comedy brings in strong long term income and that many comedians quietly build wealth while living modest lifestyles . He claimed that unlike some popular musicians, comedians often avoid extravagant spending on luxury cars and instead focus on safety, stability and long term financial security . Using Bovi as an example, Shank said the comedian is content driving a regular Lexus and has little interest in buying Ferraris, Lamborghinis or other flashy cars that some artistes are known for . He insisted that Bovi and Basketmouth are richer than stars such as Asake and Wizkid, but that their low key approach to […]
Labake Olododo becomes big hit at Nigerian box office
Labake Olododo has become a major success at the Nigerian box office, earning 202 million naira within its first two weeks in cinemas . The film opened with 50.4 million naira in its first three days and went on to top the box office charts for several consecutive weekends, quickly becoming only the second movie to cross the 200 million naira mark last year . Industry observers say the film’s strong performance reflects a wider resurgence of interest in period dramas, as audiences are once again embracing historical stories across books, television and film . On streaming platforms, shows such as Vikings have shown how history themed content can attract large audiences, and this renewed appetite for the past is also visible in other areas of entertainment and culture . Museums have reported about a 10 percent rise in visitors […]
Seun Kuti urges jailing of pastors who stage fake miracles
Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti has called on the federal government to introduce strict laws against pastors who claim to perform fake miracles . In a video shared online, he urged the authorities to regulate miracle claims by requiring that they be verified and confirmed by medical experts . Kuti suggested that institutions such as Lagos University Teaching Hospital should be involved in checking whether any alleged miracles are genuine . He argued that supposed miracles must be repeatable and demonstrable under medical supervision before they can be accepted as real . To illustrate his point, he said a true miracle would include restoring full sight to a person who has no eyeballs at all, not just someone who has been blind for many years . Kuti said anyone who claims to perform miracles should be ready to repeat them for […]
Remi Surutu says Tinubu not to blame for fuel price hikes
Veteran actress Remi Surutu has defended President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the recent surge in fuel prices, saying the hikes are driven by global forces and not by the president or his government . Surutu spoke at the launch of EKO57, a support group created to mobilise backing for Tinubu’s second term bid, where she argued that decisions by world leaders largely determine petrol prices worldwide . She recalled confronting someone who blamed Tinubu for the fuel hike, insisting that the president is not responsible for the rise in petrol costs and that fuel pricing is influenced by international actors and market dynamics . According to her, many Nigerians wrongly assume that Tinubu controls fuel prices, whereas the increases reflect wider global economic and political developments beyond the direct control of the Nigerian government . Surutu reaffirmed her long standing […]
Lagos to host 2026 youth swimming talent trials
Lagos State will host the 2026 Swimming Trials for young athletes on March 22, 2026, at the Rowe Park Sports Complex in Yaba . The event will bring together emerging talents from across the state as the Lagos State Sports Commission works to identify swimmers who can represent Lagos in future national and international competitions . The trials are open to active male and female swimmers aged 16 and under, with entries expected from clubs, schools and training centres across Lagos . According to the Commission, the programme is part of a wider plan to deepen grassroots sports development and strengthen the talent pipeline in aquatic sports . Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, said the trials reflect the state’s commitment to building a strong foundation for sports through structured competitions and systematic athlete identification . […]
Iran in talks with FIFA to move US World Cup games to Mexico
Iran’s football federation says it is in talks with FIFA about moving the national team’s World Cup group matches from the United States to Mexico because of the war in the Middle East and security concerns . Iran are due to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle at this summer’s tournament, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico . However, Iran’s embassy in Mexico said on Monday that officials are now “negotiating” with FIFA to have Iran’s matches held in Mexico instead of the United States . Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian football federation, was quoted on the embassy’s X account as saying that when US President Donald Trump has openly said he cannot guarantee the security of the Iranian team, the squad will certainly not travel to America […]
Related
Tehran Residents Live in Fear Amid Airstrikes
Residents of Tehran are living in a state of constant tension as airstrikes and drone attacks hit the city, leaving many fearful for their lives. Footage and testimonies obtained by the BBC reveal a population on edge, always anticipating the next explosion. Baran, a businesswoman in her thirties who requested her name be changed, describes her life as a daily gamble. “With the start of drone attacks, no one dares to go outside. Stepping out of my door feels like risking my life,” she says. She remains in constant contact with friends, tracking each other’s safety, even when silence alone feels threatening. The city’s recent unrest has compounded these fears. Following nationwide protests demanding change in January, thousands of Iranians were killed in a brutal crackdown. Many, like Baran, feel their hopes for reform have been shattered. Security measures are […]
Zelensky warns of missile shortage amid conflicts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that his country could soon face a shortage of key missiles due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is diverting military resources away from Ukraine. In an interview with BBC News, Zelensky said the escalation involving United States, Israel and Iran risks weakening Ukraine’s defence efforts. According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin stands to benefit from a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, as it shifts global attention and resources away from Kyiv. Zelensky expressed concern that peace negotiations with Russia are being delayed, attributing the slowdown largely to the unfolding crisis in Iran. He also noted that rising global energy prices—driven by regional instability—are working in Moscow’s favour while putting additional pressure on Ukraine. A major issue highlighted by the Ukrainian leader is the potential shortage of air defence […]
Iran faces uncertainty after Larijani killing
The death of Ali Larijani, Iran’s senior security official, in an Israeli air strike marks a major turning point for the country’s leadership at a highly sensitive time. Although not a military commander, he played a decisive role in shaping Iran’s strategic direction on security, diplomacy, and conflict. As secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Larijani was deeply involved in key decisions regarding Iran’s stance toward both United States and Israel. His influence extended across the political system, making him one of the most important figures behind the country’s policy choices. Following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in late February, Larijani adopted a firm position, indicating that Iran was prepared to sustain a prolonged conflict. His own death now adds to a series of targeted strikes that have eliminated several high-ranking officials and commanders in recent weeks, […]
Iran rejects truce bids as Israel targets top security chiefs
Iran has rejected proposals from foreign intermediaries to ease tensions or agree a ceasefire with the United States and Israel, insisting it is not yet the right time for peace . A senior Iranian official said two countries had passed on ideas to reduce tensions or reach a ceasefire, but Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, turned them down . According to the official, Khamenei told his first foreign policy meeting that there could be no peace until the United States and Israel are brought to their knees, accept defeat and pay compensation . Khamenei’s comments came as the US Israeli war on Iran entered its third week, with at least 2,000 people reported killed and no sign of an end to the conflict . The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for about 20 percent of global oil […]
Cuba hit by massive nationwide blackout
Millions of residents in Cuba were left without electricity after the country’s national power grid suffered a major collapse on Monday, according to the state operator UNE. The outage affected most parts of the island, marking another serious disruption in an ongoing energy crisis. Authorities said efforts are underway to gradually restore power across provinces and major cities, although the process remains slow and unstable. This latest blackout adds to a series of nationwide outages that have become increasingly frequent in recent years. The situation is largely driven by persistent fuel shortages. The country depends heavily on imported oil to generate electricity, but supplies have sharply declined. Previously, Venezuela provided a significant share of Cuba’s fuel needs, estimated at around half of total consumption. However, those shipments have stopped, worsening the crisis. Pressure has also intensified from the United States, […]
Utah mother guilty of husband’s poisoning murder
A jury in the US state of Utah has found Kouri Richins guilty of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, in a case that drew national attention due to its unusual circumstances. Prosecutors said Richins poisoned her husband in March 2022 by giving him a drink laced with fentanyl. After deliberating for about three hours, the jury returned a guilty verdict on multiple charges, including aggravated murder and attempted murder. During the trial, the court heard that the 35-year-old had accumulated significant financial debt and had taken out life insurance policies on her husband. Prosecutors also alleged she was involved in an extramarital relationship and stood to gain financially from her husband’s death. More than 40 witnesses testified during the proceedings, including a woman who told the court she had supplied the drugs used in the crime. The defence team did […]