President Trump warned Venezuela to take back all prisoners he says it sent to the U.S., including some from mental institutions, or face an “incalculable” price.
“We want Venezuela to immediately accept all of the prisoners, and people from mental institutions, which includes the Worst in the World Insane Asylums, that Venezuelan “Leadership” has forced into the United States of America,” the president wrote. “Thousands of people have been badly hurt, and even killed, by these “Monsters.” GET THEM THE HELL OUT OF OUR COUNTRY, RIGHT NOW, OR THE PRICE YOU PAY WILL BE INCALCULABLE!”
For years, Trump has warned that Venezuela and other countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have been releasing people from mental institutions and sending them to the U.S.
Roberto Briceño-León, founder of the Venezuelan Observatory of Violence, claimed to CNN last year that the group found “no evidence” that Venezuela is releasing prisoners or mental patients to send to the U.S. or elsewhere.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 20, 2025
Tensions with Venezuela rose after Trump ordered three strikes in a month on suspected drug vessels, the latest killing three men in international waters. He said no U.S. forces were harmed, noting the area falls under U.S. Southern Command.
This follows an earlier U.S. strike on a “drug-carrying vessel” in the Caribbean that killed 11 terrorists, which the administration linked to the Tren de Aragua gang. Venezuela disputed the claim, claiming that the dead had no gang ties. Days later, President Nicolás Maduro sent a letter dated September 6 offering direct talks with Trump officials.
“President, I hope that together we can defeat the falsehoods that have sullied our relationship, which must be historic and peaceful,” Maduro reportedly wrote in the letter. “These and other issues will always be open for a direct and frank conversation with your special envoy (Richard Grenell) to overcome media noise and fake news.”
Despite the letter, Venezuela announced Thursday it had begun three days of large-scale military drills in the Caribbean in response to the U.S. strikes.
