Venezuelan President says that President Trump sounds almost Nazi-like
President Trump Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images | Maduro Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
MIAMI (AP) - Venezuela's embattled president, Nicolas Maduro, is rejecting President Donald Trump's call for a new day in Venezuela and comparing the tone of the American president's speech in Miami to that of a Nazi.
President Trump spoke on Monday in Miami about the monthslong political crisis in Venezuela and the dangers of socialism.
During the speech, President Trump stated that the U.S. stands behind opposition leader Juan Guaido and condemns Maduro and his government's socialist policies. He also pleaded with Venezuela's military to support Guaido and warned of dire consequences for standing with Maduro.
President Trump asked that every member of the Maduro regime end this "nightmare" of poverty and death. He says, "Let your people go. Set your country free."
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Maduro responded to Trump in comments broadcast on state television. He accused the U.S. president of speaking in an "almost Nazi style" and lashed out at Trump for thinking he can deliver orders to Venezuela's military.
Maduro said, "Who is the commander of the armed forces, Donald Trump from Miami?" and added, "They think they're the owners of the country."
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The Venezuelan military has largely remained loyal to Maduro. Trump says Guaido's government will not seek retribution against them, but if they continue to support Maduro, they will "lose everything."
South Florida is home to the largest number of Venezuelans in the United States.