BBC:
Donald Trump has warned Venezuela’s new leader Delcy Rodríguez she could “pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro” if she “doesn’t do what’s right”.
His comments to US magazine The Atlantic came as the country’s deposed president Nicolás Maduro was set to appear in a New York court on Monday.
The US accuses Maduro, who is charged with drug trafficking and weapons offences, of running a “narco-terrorist” regime, a claim he denies.
Rodríguez – who served as Maduro’s vice president – adopted a conciliatory tone at her first cabinet meeting on Sunday, offering co-operation with the US.
“We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of co-operation orientated towards shared development within the framework of international law,” she said.
Backed by Venezuela’s Supreme Court and the military, she will be sworn in as president on Monday in Caracas, at 08:00 local time (12:00 GMT).
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted the US is not at war with Venezuela, after air strikes in Caracas on Saturday led to Maduro and his wife being taken into custody and transported to the US.
Some Democratic lawmakers said the operation was an “act of war”.
In an interview with The Atlantic on Sunday, Trump said of Rodríguez: “If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.”
He added that for Venezuela,”Regime change, anything you want to call it, is better than what you have right now. Can’t get any worse”.
