United States must “take important steps to hold the regime accountable.”
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
President Trump said Monday night that the U.S. is prepared to “take further action” in Venezuela if the “growing crisis” persists. Speaking at a dinner at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Trump called the situation “totally unacceptable.” He added, “The Venezuelan people are starving… The country is collapsing, their democratic institutions are being destroyed.” Trump directed blame at Venezuela’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, and said the U.S. must “take important steps to hold the regime accountable.” The president also plans to mention the crisis in Venezuela during his speech to United Nations member states Tuesday, according to senior White House officials. During the 10:30 a.m. talk, Trump will reportedly ask for increased pressure on North Korea to relinquish its nuclear arsenal.