Trump warns Venezuela of 'incalculable price' over prisoners and patients sent to US
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The White House is demanding that Venezuela take back "prisoners and psychiatric patients" allegedly sent to the United States by the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
"We want Venezuela to immediately accept all of the prisoners, and people from mental institutions, which includes the Worst in the World Insane Asylums, that Venezuelan 'Leadership' has forced into the United States of America," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He claims that "thousands of people" were allegedly "badly hurt" or were even killed. Trump threatened Venezuela with an "incalculable price" if the Maduro regime does not comply.
"Get them the hell out of our country, right now, or the price you pay will be incalculable!" he added.
Escalation between the US and Venezuela
Relations between the US and Venezuela have always been poor, but tensions surged after Trump's latest statements. He accused Venezuela of failing to take adequate action against illegal drug trafficking.
At the same time, Trump issued a secret directive instructing the Pentagon to begin preparations for the use of military force against Latin American drug cartels, which his administration has designated as terrorist organizations.
Currently, three destroyers, a nuclear submarine, a missile cruiser, amphibious ships, and about 4,500 troops are deployed in the southern Caribbean. Several strikes have already targeted drug traffickers' boats, while Venezuela carried out an aerial provocation against US ships.
Amid the escalating tensions, Venezuelan President Maduro announced a large-scale military mobilization.
