Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday held a second meeting in 17 days with the Venezuelan ambassador to Russia, at a time of mounting pressure by U.S. President Donald Trump for the removal of Venezuela's president,

When asked if he could rule out a ground invasion of Venezuela, Trump answered: “I don’t want to rule in or out.”

Maduro has survived predictions and ridicule, but along the way, Venezuela lost millions of inhabitants, 72% of its economy, democratic legitimacy in the eyes of much of the world, and many of its most important international allies.

The escalation targeting President Nicolás Maduro revives a Cold War playbook that had severe and lasting consequences for Latin American democracies and economies.

Donald Trump said in an interview with Politico that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's "days are numbered" and declined to comment on whether the U.S. could send troops to the country.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Tuesday the country's economy will grow by 9% by the end of 2025, and will likely grow by 7% in 2026.