Trump affirms conversation with Maduro, Caracas criticizes US actions

US President Donald Trump revealed on Sunday that he had recently communicated with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, amidst rising tensions between the two nations. Caracas denounced what it described as preparations by the US for a potential assault.

The United States has intensified pressure on Venezuela, involving a substantial military buildup in the Caribbean, labeling a supposed drug cartel led by Maduro as a terrorist organization, and Trump's warning that Venezuelan airspace is effectively "closed." Washington claims the military deployment, initiated in September, targets drug trafficking, while Venezuela argues the real objective is regime change.

"I wouldn't say it went well or badly. It was a phone call," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday. The New York Times reported that Trump and Maduro discussed a possible meeting, while The Wall Street Journal indicated the conversation also covered amnesty terms should Maduro step down.

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin said on CNN's "State of the Union" that the US has offered Maduro the opportunity to leave Venezuela for Russia or another country. Washington accuses Maduro, heir to the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, of running the "Cartel of the Suns" and has placed a $50 million bounty on him. Maduro's government and allied nations reject the existence of such an organization. Experts note that the "Cartel of the Suns" may actually refer to corruption among senior officials linked to criminal groups. The US also does not acknowledge Maduro as the legitimate winner of last years presidential election.

Although Trump has not openly threatened military action, he stated that efforts to halt Venezuelan drug trafficking "by land" will begin "very soon." Venezuela has requested OPEC's support to counter what it calls escalating American aggression. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, also the oil minister, read Maduro's letter during a virtual OPEC meeting, accusing the US of attempting to seize Venezuela's vast oil reserves through military force.

Since September, US air strikes have targeted alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in at least 83 deaths. The Trump administration has not presented concrete evidence for the claims, and experts have raised legal concerns over the operations. Reports indicate a follow-up strike in September killed survivors of an initial attack. While The Washington Post and CNN reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered to "kill everybody," Trump denied such an order, stating Hegseth did not instruct the deaths of the individuals involved.

Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela's legislature, met with relatives of those killed in the strikes but did not comment on a possible Trump-Maduro call. Regarding the alleged Hegseth directive, he said: "If a war had been declared and led to such killings, we would be talking about war crimes. Given that no war has been declared, what happened...can only be characterized as murder or extrajudicial executions."

The US military buildup continues, including the deployment of the world's largest aircraft carrier to Caribbean waters, with repeated flights of American fighter jets and bombers off the Venezuelan coast. Six airlines have suspended flights to Venezuela, though Caracas airport remained operational on Sunday.

Analysis of the US-Venezuela Tensions and Diplomatic Engagement

The situation between the United States and Venezuela remains volatile, with a significant military buildup by the US in the Caribbean and escalating diplomatic rhetoric. US President Donald Trump's recent revelation that he spoke with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, amidst these rising tensions, adds an additional layer to an already complex relationship. While the phone call itself was described as neutral, with Trump stating, "I wouldn't say it went well or badly. It was a phone call," the implications are more nuanced. Reports suggest that the conversation covered potential amnesty for Maduro and the possibility of a meeting, but with little concrete progress thus far. This marks another chapter in the ongoing diplomatic back-and-forth between the two nations.

While the US maintains that its actions are aimed at combating drug trafficking, Venezuela perceives these moves as an attempt at regime change. The US has labeled Maduro's government as a "terrorist organization," linked to a so-called "Cartel of the Suns," and recently intensified its military presence with strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. However, these claims have not been substantiated with clear evidence, and concerns over the legality of such actions have been raised by experts. The human toll of these strikes, including civilian casualties, complicates the situation further, with accusations of extrajudicial killings being levied by Venezuelan officials. Such actions contribute to the growing perception of aggression and a broader strategy to weaken the Maduro regime.

From the Venezuelan perspective, the issue is far more than just drug trafficking. The government has consistently argued that the US is aiming to seize Venezuela's oil reserves, using military force as leverage. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, in her address to OPEC, underscored this view, emphasizing the country’s need for international support in resisting what she describes as American imperialism. The ongoing US military buildup, with the deployment of the largest aircraft carrier to the region, reinforces this narrative of escalating pressure on Venezuela, further heightening fears of an impending confrontation.

The broader context here includes Venezuela’s ongoing internal struggles, marked by economic instability, a contested election process, and accusations of human rights violations under Maduro's leadership. International recognition of Maduro’s government is deeply divided, with the US and several other nations refusing to recognize his legitimacy. This has led to a deepening isolation of Venezuela on the global stage, as sanctions continue to mount, further exacerbating the country’s economic and humanitarian crises.

As tensions continue to mount, the US’s course of action remains unclear. The potential for diplomatic resolution appears limited, especially with both sides entrenched in their positions. Given the current trajectory, the risk of further escalation remains high. In the coming weeks, the focus will likely remain on the US’s military presence in the region and any additional diplomatic exchanges, as both nations navigate the complex and volatile dynamics of their relationship.

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• Trump confirms call with Maduro, Caracas slams US maneuvers