Former U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested he might leave the country if he loses the upcoming presidential election. In a recent interview with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Trump hinted at the possibility of relocating to Venezuela, saying, “If something happens with this election, which would be a horror show, we’ll meet the next time in Venezuela, because it’ll be a far safer place to meet than our country.” He added, “OK, so we’ll go. You and I will go, and we’ll have a meeting and dinner in Venezuela.”
Trump’s remarks come amidst his ongoing criticism of the U.S. justice system and immigration policies. He accused Venezuela of reducing its crime rate by releasing dangerous criminals from its prisons and sending them to the U.S. illegally. Trump linked this alleged practice to a rise in crime within the U.S., while claiming that Venezuela’s crime rate has declined as a result.
The former president has repeatedly made unfounded claims about Venezuela’s actions, asserting that the country has expelled “about 70 percent” of its “really bad people.” These assertions have not been supported by credible evidence.
Trump’s comments also come against the backdrop of the U.S. Department of Justice’s accusations against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro, who leads an autocratic government, has been charged with narco-terrorism and corruption. His recent re-election, which was widely condemned as fraudulent, has further fueled international criticism.
Interestingly, Trump’s mention of Venezuela as a potential refuge echoes rumors from 2022 that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle were considering evacuating to Venezuela in case of a Russian defeat in the Ukraine conflict.
As Trump continues to face legal and political challenges, his remarks have sparked curiosity and speculation about his future plans should he fail to secure the presidency in the upcoming election.