president of venezuela, Nicolas MaduroHe no longer had any options to resign and leave his country under the protection of the United States, after a short call last month with his American counterpart. Donald Trump.
In the call, Trump refused … A series of requests from the Venezuelan president, according to various sources familiar with the conversation. The call, made on November 21, came after months of mounting US pressure on Venezuela, including attacks against boats allegedly used to traffic drugs in the Caribbean; Trump’s repeated threats to expand military operations to the ground; And the designation of the Sun Cartel, a group that the administration in Washington says includes Maduro, as a terrorist organization.
Maduro and his government have denied all accusations and claimed that the United States is seeking regime change to control Venezuela’s vast natural resources, such as oil.
The Venezuelan President assured Trump during the call that he was ready to leave Venezuela, as long as this was guaranteed for him and his family members. A comprehensive amnestyWith the lifting of all US sanctions, and the end of a symbolic case facing the International Criminal Court, according to three sources.
He also requested the lifting of sanctions on more than 100 Venezuelan government officials, many of whom the United States accuses of human rights violations, drug trafficking, or corruption, according to the same sources. Moreover, two sources confirm that “Maduro suggested to the Vice President, Delcy RodriguezHe will head an interim government before calling for new elections.
Trump rejected most of their requests in the call, which lasted less than 15 minutes. But he explained to Maduro that he had “one week” to leave Venezuela for the destination he chose with his family. That safe passage expired last Friday, prompting Trump to announce on Saturday that Venezuelan airspace should be considered completely closed, according to two of the sources.
The Miami Herald had previously published many details of the call, and the Friday deadline had not been previously revealed.
On Sunday, the North American president confirmed that he had spoken with Maduro, without providing further details. The White House declined to provide further details, and Venezuela’s Information Ministry, which handles all government press inquiries, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Trump administration has stated that it does not recognize Maduro, who has been in office since 2013, as the legitimate president of Venezuela. The National Electoral Council announced Maduro’s re-election last year, after elections that the United States and other Western governments described as rigged, in which the opposition achieved a landslide victory, according to independent observers. On Monday, addressing his supporters, Maduro swore “absolute loyalty” to the Venezuelan people.
It is unclear whether the Venezuelan leader is still able to present a new proposal that includes safe passage. According to a senior US official, Trump held talks with his senior advisers on Monday to discuss the pressure campaign on Venezuela, among other topics.
A source in Washington familiar with the Trump administration’s internal talks did not rule out the possibility of Maduro’s exit through negotiation, but stressed that major differences still exist and that important details still need to be resolved.
The United States has increased to 50 million dollars (about 44 million euros) reward for information leading to the arrest of Maduro, and 25 million dollars (about 22 million euros) are being offered to other senior government officials, including the Minister of the Interior. Diosdado poetrywho was charged in the United States with alleged drug trafficking, among other crimes. Everyone denied these accusations. Maduro’s government requested another call with Trump, according to the three sources.