Diplomatic Strains involving Venezuela Escalate Following Reported Ultimatum from Donald Trump to Nicolás Maduro.
Reports suggest that ex-President Trump delivered a direct message to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro: abandon office – and flee the country – without delay.
Per accounts, the U.S. leader supposedly conducted a phone call with his South American opposite number, who is the focus of a sustained pressure campaign that has featured a major deployment of warships off Venezuela's Caribbean coast.
"You can save yourself and those closest to you, but you must depart from the nation immediately," Trump reportedly said, promising guaranteed security for Maduro, his wife and his son "only if he consented to resign immediately."
However, the Venezuelan leader allegedly declined to step down immediately and is said to have made a series of conditions, including global immunity from prosecution and being allowed to give up civilian authority while keeping control of the military.
New Escalation in Ongoing Bilateral Strain
This exchange represents the latest escalation of strains between the two nations. On Monday, Trump reportedly met with his top national security advisers to review the Venezuela situation, though details of that meeting were not made public.
Key Points from the Alleged Exchange
- Final Offer: Prompt resignation and exile for Maduro and his closest relatives.
- Alleged Rejection: Maduro reportedly rejected the offer for a fast exit.
- Conditions: Sought global amnesty and ongoing control over the military.
- Broader Context: This occurs amid a broader U.S.-led pressure campaign designed to ousting the Venezuelan administration.
Upon being asked about the call, Trump was quoted as saying, "I can't say it was successful or badly, it was a telephone conversation." Neither the American nor Venezuelan administrations have released further information about the topics talked about during the remarkable exchange, which is thought to have happened in the latter part of November.
