'Do it the easy way or the hard way': Trump warns Maduro as Venezeula gears up to 'defend' itself from US

US President Donald Trump has warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of doing things “the easy or the hard way” as the South American leader urged his supporters to defend “every inch” of the country amid Washington’s “war on drugs”.

While aboard Air Force One en route to Florida, Trump chose not to clarify the specific goals of his ongoing four-month campaign against Venezuela. However, there is widespread speculation that the campaign is aimed at toppling Maduro, who is widely accused of rigging last year’s presidential election.

“I’m not going to tell you what the goal is. You should probably know what the goal is,” the US president said, adding that he “might” meet Maduro.

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“If we can save lives, if we can do things the easy way, that’s fine. And if we have to do it the hard way, that’s fine too,” Trump added.

‘Will give it my all’

Meanwhile, Maduro is ready to pull out all stops to defend Venezuela amid Trump’s ‘war on drugs’. The US president has often indicated that he will send troops for a ground operation in Venezuela after conducting several missions at sea.

Holding a rally in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, Maduro, clad in military fatigues, said, “We have to be capable of defending every inch of this blessed land from any sort of imperialist threat or aggression, wherever it comes from.”

“I swear before our Lord Jesus Christ, that I will give my all for the victory of Venezuela,” he added."

China backs Venezuela

Chinese President Xi Jinping has chosen his Venezuelan counterpart, Maduro, in his clash with Trump.

Xi and Maduro have exchanged a series of letters, highlighting their countries’ commitment to Venezuela’s sovereignty, national security, and stability. The letters were exchanged on the eve of Maduro’s birthday, which falls on November 23.

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In his letter, Xi referred to China and Venezuela as “intimate friends, dear brothers, and good partners” and denounced “interference by external forces in Venezuela’s internal affairs under any pretext.” He pledged that Beijing would “continue to resolutely support Venezuela in safeguarding its sovereignty and national security, national dignity, and social stability.”