Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has expressed a willingness to engage in discussions with representatives of the Trump administration amid increasing pressure from the United States. This statement follows remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he has not dismissed the possibility of deploying ground forces in Venezuela. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of overseeing a drug cartel, an assertion Maduro has denied, claiming that the U.S. seeks to incite conflict to gain access to Venezuela’s oil resources.
Since Trump’s inauguration for a second term in January, U.S. efforts to exert pressure on Maduro have intensified. The reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture has been increased to $50 million. Additionally, in August, the U.S. initiated a counternarcotics operation which has resulted in the deaths of over 80 individuals associated with suspected drug vessels, primarily in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. The objectives of this operation, according to U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, include the removal of narcoterrorists from the Western Hemisphere. However, the legality of these military actions has been questioned, as no conclusive evidence has been presented regarding the vessels’ involvement in drug trafficking.
After being pressed about the potential for military action in Venezuela, Trump offered seemingly contradictory responses. While he stated on November 3 that he did not foresee war with Venezuela, he later clarified that he would not rule out any options, including direct discussions with Maduro. The U.S. State Department signaled its intention to designate the Cartel de los Soles, a Venezuelan drug trafficking organization allegedly led by Maduro, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effective November 24. The implications of this classification could include legal prohibitions on U.S. citizens supporting the organization and potential justification for military action against it in Venezuela.
Maduro has actively addressed the U.S. public, advocating for dialogue and asserting a willingness to negotiate face-to-face with American officials. Previous attempts to mediate negotiations between the Venezuelan government and opposition factions have failed, and ongoing efforts by opposition leader María Corina Machado aim to persuade the military to abandon support for Maduro. In her recent manifesto, Machado emphasizes the need for accountability for actions taken under Maduro’s rule while calling for unity among Venezuelans to facilitate political change.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3epgzvpj3lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss