Maduro's public dancing provoked Trump to seal his fate: US media

The singing and dancing in public by Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro in recent weeks were interpreted as deliberate mockery by the Trump administration, ultimately provoking a military strike that resulted in his capture in Caracas, The New York Times (NYT) reported Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The military action followed Maduro’s reported rejection of an ultimatum from Trump to leave office and accept exile in Turkey before the new year. Despite the threat, Maduro continued making public appearances, frequently dancing before crowds and displaying what observers described as deliberate nonchalance.

According to the report, Maduro’s flippant antics and relaxed demeanor were interpreted by Trump administration officials as deliberate mockery, which ultimately sealed his fate.

“It was one dance move too many for Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro,” the NYT reported.

Among the most notable incidents was Maduro's appearance at the December opening of the International School for Women's Leadership, where he danced to an electronic remix of his own speech titled “No War, Yes Peace.”

Maduro performed John Lennon's “Imagine” before a crowd November. “Do everything for peace, as John Lennon used to say, right?” he told the audience. “It is an inspiration for all times. It is an anthem for all eras and generations, left by John Lennon as a gift to humanity.”

“Mr. Maduro's regular public dancing and other displays of nonchalance in recent weeks helped persuade some on the Trump team that the Venezuelan president was mocking them and trying to call what he believed to be a bluff,” the NYT reported, citing multiple sources familiar with internal White House deliberations.

As tensions mounted, the White House decided to follow through on its military threats. Trump ordered a military strike on Venezuela, resulting in Maduro's capture.