Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has stated that US President Donald Trump has revealed his “real motives” toward the South American country by claiming that it stole American “oil, land, and other assets,” CNN reports.

According to Maduro, Trump’s statement shows that the US is in fact seeking regime change in Venezuela and control over the country’s territory and resources.

The US had previously described the buildup of its naval forces near Venezuela as aimed at combating drug trafficking.

“This is simply warmongering and colonialism, and we have said this many times, and now everyone sees the truth. The truth has been revealed,” Maduro said.

He believes that the US’ real objective is regime change in Venezuela, the establishment of a “puppet government” that would not last 47 hours and would hand over the  constitution, sovereignty, and all wealth, turning Venezuela into a colony.

“That will simply never happen,” the Venezuelan president added.