Trump Confirms Call with Maduro Amid Escalating US-Venezuela Tensions

UPDATE: In a surprising turn of events, US President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that he recently spoke with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as tensions between the United States and Venezuela escalate dramatically. Caracas has condemned what it claims are US preparations for military aggression against the nation.

US military forces are rapidly building up in the Caribbean, with reports of significant deployments aimed at curbing drug trafficking. However, Caracas insists that the true motive is regime change. Trump ominously warned that Venezuelan airspace is now “closed,” raising alarms internationally.

Trump described the phone call as uneventful, stating, “I wouldn’t say it went well or badly. It was a phone call,” while reports from The New York Times suggest the two leaders discussed a potential meeting and conditions for Maduro’s amnesty should he step down.

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin revealed on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the US has offered Maduro the option to leave for Russia or another country. The US government has accused Maduro of leading a drug cartel known as the “Cartel of the Suns,” offering a staggering $50 million reward for his capture.

Venezuela denies the existence of this cartel, asserting that it refers to the corruption of senior officials. The US does not recognize Maduro as the legitimate winner of last year’s presidential election, further complicating the diplomatic landscape.

While Trump has not issued direct threats of military action, he indicated that operations to disrupt Venezuelan drug trafficking “by land” would commence “very soon.” This statement adds to the urgency surrounding the US military’s deployment.

In a bold move, Maduro has requested assistance from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to help counter what he describes as growing US aggression. In a letter read by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro accused the US of attempting to seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves through military force.

Since September, US airstrikes have targeted vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of at least 83 people. Reports have surfaced questioning the legality of these operations, with accusations of extrajudicial killings. One incident involved a follow-up strike that killed survivors of an initial attack, raising serious ethical concerns.

Venezuelan legislator Jorge Rodriguez met with families of those killed in the strikes, stating, “If a war had been declared and led to such killings, we would be talking about war crimes.” He labeled the actions as murder and extrajudicial executions, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

The US military buildup has included the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier to Caribbean waters, with fighter jets and bombers frequently flying off the Venezuelan coast. Despite the tensions, Caracas’ airport remained operational on Sunday, although six airlines have suspended services to the country.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on Washington and Caracas to see how these escalating tensions will impact the region and the world. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.