Despite Donald Trump’s actions to intimidate Nicolas Maduro – with the express aim of trying to bring about regime change in Venezuela – the President of the United States is keeping diplomatic channels open with the Chavista leader. This is what the Republican confirmed over the weekend, when he actually confirmed it He spoke by phone with MaduroAlthough no details were mentioned about this topic. According to the newspaper New York TimesThe conversation could have taken place last week and its goal was to try to agree on a meeting between the two. However, it was not possible to come up with a concrete plan.
US Senator Markwayne Mullen told CNN on Sunday that Trump had given Maduro “Chance to leave” Venezuela and that among the destinations offered to the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) was Russia. according to The Washington PostTürkiye could be another possible destination, given the good relations between Maduro and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
After these statements, White House spokeswoman Carolyn Levitt confirmed that Trump will discuss these issues on Monday with his advisors. Next steps Regarding Venezuela. According to CNN, the meeting will be held in the Oval Office of the White House, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend. Secretary of Defense and Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth; and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kaine.
Meanwhile, the US military deployment in the Caribbean, consisting of an aircraft carrier, destroyer escorts and a submarine equipped with Tomahawk missiles, continues. Three months after the US attacks on boats supposedly loaded with drugs – in which 83 people were killed – the President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez (brother of Vice President Delcy Rodríguez), announced the launch of a campaign Investigation into “extrajudicial executions” Committed by the US Armed Forces.
He added: “It is clear that what has been happening since September 2 in the Caribbean Sea is illegal It’s clearly illegal Rodriguez declared, as reported by Globovisión, that it violates international humanitarian law, the Charter of the United Nations, the Charter of Human Rights, and also violates laws relating to navigation, the laws of the sea, as well as the laws of war.
Rodriguez also confirmed that there were Venezuelans among the victims of the ships attacked by the United States and that he met with their families. but, He refused to reveal their identities. He added: “They have received threats from sectors and people who have the greatest interest in not telling the truth.” In early November, the Associated Press identified four of the dead: a fisherman, a “career criminal,” a former student, and a bus driver.
Airlines extend the suspension of their flights
On the other hand, it is worth noting that Trump’s warning about Venezuelan airspace had its effect. After the president warned over the weekend “Airlines, pilots, drug dealers and human traffickers” That they should consider Venezuelan airspace closed, some airlines have taken the decision to extend the suspension of flights between Madrid and Caracas.
Iberia announced on Monday the cancellation of its operations with Venezuela until December 31 after the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) issued a new order. “Highly recommended” Do not fly over the airspace of the Venezuelan capital. The notice was issued after the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) warned on Saturday – following Trump’s letter – about the matter Risks of working in a South American country Until next January 31. Flights will resume “as soon as full safety guarantees are restored.”
For its part, Plus Ultra decided to suspend the flights it was planning on Tuesday and Thursday. While Air Europa canceled its operations Until December 12th. Both companies confirmed that they will continue to evaluate the situation before deciding whether to extend the suspension of flights or not. Iberia has five weekly flights between Madrid and Caracas (ten flights in total), Air Europa has the same flights, and Plus Ultra has four. These airlines were joined by the Venezuelan company Laser, which extended the suspension of its flights Until December 3.
The International Transport Association (IATA) was quick to speak out after the decision and stressed that airlines were free to assess risks individually. “Safety has been and will continue to be aviation’s main priority.”It has maintained the entity to which more than 360 airlines belong. For IATA, caution is “most important in scenarios where alerts have been issued or specific concerns raised.” On Monday, flights from Colombia, Panama and Russia arrived in Caracas and others are expected to arrive from Bogotá, Panama City and Curacao in the next few hours.