Former Colombian VP Claims 'Final Operation' That Will Oust Venezuela's Maduro Will Take Place In 'Four To Six Weeks'

Former Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos claimed the "final operation" that will result in the ouster of Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro will take place in "four to six weeks."

Speaking to NTN 24, Santos made the statement while criticizing Colombian President Gustavo Petro's speech before the UN Assembly General, in which he criticized U.S. President Donald Trump.

Santos said "things will get complicated for" Petro when he leaves office due to his stance. "Not only with the U.S., among others, because I am fully certain that Maduro's days or weeks are numbered." He added that the "final operation" that will result in his ouster will take place in "four to six weeks."

The administration has been ramping up pressure on Venezuela in particular, maintaining a presence off the country's coast, including strikes against two vessels it claimed was trafficking drugs that would ultimately end in the U.S.

Earlier this week, the White House dismissed a letter sent by Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro offering direct talks with President Donald Trump, describing the message as "full of lies" and reiterating its stance that Maduro's government is illegitimate and central to drug trafficking operations in the region.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Monday that the administration had reviewed the letter, dated September 6, but said it did not alter U.S. policy toward Venezuela. "Frankly, Maduro repeated many lies in that letter, and the position of the administration on Venezuela has not changed," Leavitt said during a briefing. "We consider the Maduro regime illegitimate, and the president has made clear he is willing to use all necessary means to stop the deadly flow of drugs from Venezuela into the United States."

Over the weekend, Trump also issued a blistering statement on Truth Social demanding that Venezuela accept the immediate return of prisoners and psychiatric patients he alleges were "forced" into the United States by Caracas.

"We want Venezuela to accept immediately all prisoners and people from mental institutions including from the worst asylums in the world that the leadership of Venezuela has forced into the United States of America," Trump wrote. "Thousands of people have been seriously injured or even killed by these 'monsters.' Get them out of our country now, or the price you will pay will be incalculable!"