Frictions with Venezuela Escalate After Purported Demand from Trump to Nicolás Maduro.
Reports suggest that formerPresident Donald Trump delivered a direct message to Venezuelan leader Maduro: leave power – and depart the country – without delay.
Per reports, the American president supposedly conducted a telephone conversation with his South American opposite number, who is the focus of a prolonged pressure campaign that has featured a major deployment of warships off Venezuela's Caribbean coast.
"You can secure your safety and your inner circle, but you need to exit the nation immediately," Trump reportedly stated, offering assured transit for Maduro, his spouse and his son "only if he agreed to resign immediately."
Nevertheless, the Venezuelan president allegedly declined to relinquish power immediately and reportedly presented a set of conditions, including international immunity from prosecution and the right to cede civilian authority while keeping control of the military.
New Increase in Long-Running Bilateral Strain
This exchange marks the latest escalation of strains between the two countries. On Monday, Trump allegedly met with his top security officials to deliberate on the Venezuela crisis, though specifics of that gathering have not been revealed.
Key Details from the Alleged Conversation
- Final Offer: Immediate resignation and exile for Maduro and his immediate family.
- Reported Rejection: Maduro reportedly rejected the terms for a swift exit.
- Counter-Demands: Reportedly requested global amnesty and continued control over the military.
- Wider Situation: This takes place during a broader U.S.-led pressure campaign designed to removing the Venezuelan administration.
Upon being asked about the call, Trump was quoted as saying, "I wouldn't say it went well or badly, it was a phone call." Neither the American nor Venezuelan administrations have offered further information about the subjects discussed during the highly unusual dialogue, which is thought to have happened in the latter part of November.
