Trump Warns Maduro That Toughing It Out Will Be 'The Last Time'

US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro would be 'smart' to choose to leave power and warned him that if he 'toughs it out', it will be 'the last time' he does so. His statements come amid escalating tensions with Caracas over Trump's order to block the entry and exit of sanctioned oil tankers to and from Venezuela. When questioned at a press conference at his private residence in Mar-a-Lago (Florida) whether the US strategy is to overthrow Maduro, Trump responded: 'I think probably yes.' He also reiterated, without providing evidence, his accusation that the Maduro government is flooding the United States with drugs and criminals from Venezuelan prisons. When asked why Maduro should take seriously the threat of a US 'soon' attack within Venezuelan territory, Trump warned there would be consequences if the Venezuelan leader 'toughs it out'. 'If he toughs it out, it will be the last time he can do so,' he declared. 'That's up to him. He can do whatever he wants. I can't guarantee it.' The US stated on Sunday that it maintains an 'active pursuit' to intercept a third oil tanker near the Venezuelan coast, after Trump announced a blockade on the entry and exit of all sanctioned vessels to Venezuela. At the press conference, Trump said the US will keep the 1.9 million barrels of oil from the tanker confiscated on December 10. 'We'll keep it. We may sell it or keep it in our strategic reserves,' he said. He also stated that he has spoken with US oil companies about Venezuela, although he did not provide further details. Maduro, for his part, has accused the United States of piracy for the seizure of ships with Venezuelan crude and has announced actions to ensure these acts are not left unpunished, including filing a complaint with the UN Security Council.