Trump slams former presidents who didn't mind jails of Venezuela 'being emptied' into the US

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: President Donald Trump took a subtle jab at former Presidents of the United States who "didn't mind the jails of Venezuela and Tren de Aragua being emptied into the US."

The Republican leader made the statement during a presser at his Mar-a-Lago resort, where a reporter asked him about the rising tension between the US and Venezuela.

Trump says the US has 'never been respected more than we are now'

A reporter asked Trump during the presser on Monday, December 22, "Why do you feel this initiative was neglected for so many years as this comes amid the rising tension between the US and Venezuela?"

"We had a different kind of presidents before me. They didn't mind being ripped off. They didn't mind being robbed. They didn't mind the jails of Venezuela and Tren de Aragua being emptied into the US, where they take over Colorado and other places," the 79-year-old claimed.

He added, "I do mind. So you had a different kind of president. I hope people are enjoying it because we have never been respected more than we are now." 

Trump announced on Monday that the US government will, for now, keep the oil and two oil tankers that the US Coast Guard seized off the coast of Venezuela earlier in December.

"We’re going to keep it. Maybe we’ll sell it. Maybe we’ll keep it. Maybe we’ll use it in the strategic reserves," the POTUS said during the presser, as he added, "We’re keeping the ships, also."

The US Coast Guard, with the help of the US Navy, seized two oil tankers near the coast of Venezuela in recent weeks as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. 

US personnel initially seized a massive vessel, called "Skipper," that was carrying about 1.8 million barrels of crude oil and falsely flying Guyana’s flag on December 10.

Following this, Trump announced the administration would impose a "blockade" on all sanctioned oil tankers coming in and out of Venezuela.

US to build new 'Golden Fleet' battleships

Trump announced plans on Monday to build a new class of battleships called the "Golden Fleet" and unveiled what he called the most powerful warships in history.

The POTUS said the Navy would begin by constructing two battleships of the proposed "Trump-class," with plans to build up to 25 vessels in the future. He also described the ships as "100 percent more powerful" than any battleships built before.

"Each one of these will be the largest battleship built in the history of the world. There has never been anything built like them," Trump boasted.

He also mentioned that the vessels would be equipped with hypersonic weapons, state-of-the-art rail guns, advanced laser systems, and cruise missiles. The president added that the US Navy would lead the design process, along with his involvement. 

Trump's announcement comes as the US Coast Guard has increased efforts to interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea as part of the administration’s pressure campaign on the Venezuelan president’s government.