In a recent phone call between Donald Trump and Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan leader reportedly received an ultimatum to relinquish power immediately. This conversation, which took place on November 21, has drawn significant attention due to its implications for U.S.-Venezuelan relations. President Trump confirmed the call, stating to reporters, “I wouldn’t say it went well or badly, it was a phone call.” However, both the U.S. and Venezuelan governments have not disclosed further details regarding the subjects discussed.
Sources close to the situation revealed to the Miami Herald that Trump delivered a “blunt message” to Maduro amidst a four-month pressure campaign against the Venezuelan regime. This campaign has included a massive naval deployment off Venezuela’s northern coast. Trump allegedly told Maduro, “You can save yourself and those closest to you, but you must leave the country now.” He offered safe passage for Maduro, along with his wife and son, but only if the Venezuelan leader agreed to resign immediately.
In a surprising turn, Maduro declined to step down and presented a series of counter-demands. These included a request for global amnesty from prosecution for himself and his allies, as well as a proposal to maintain control over the armed forces while ceding political power. The Miami Herald noted that despite the initial conversation, there had been no further direct communication between Trump and Maduro. Maduro is said to have requested a second call after Trump declared Venezuelan airspace “closed in its entirety,” but this request reportedly received no response.
Since assuming office in 2013, Maduro has navigated numerous crises, including the maximum pressure campaign initiated during Trump's first term, widespread protests, an economic crisis, an assassination attempt in 2018, and a controversial presidential election last year, which many believe Maduro lost to former diplomat Edmundo González. Observers are skeptical about Trump's willingness to follow through on military threats, with some Venezuelan officials viewing U.S. military posturing as mere bluster.
In a recent editorial, the Wall Street Journal urged the Trump administration to persist in its pressure tactics against the Maduro regime, asserting that deposing Maduro aligns with U.S. national interests. The editorial board warned that if Maduro refuses to vacate power and Trump hesitates to act, both Trump and the credibility of the United States could suffer significant repercussions.
In a bid to facilitate dialogue, Colombia's president, Gustavo Petro, proposed the Colombian city of Cartagena as a potential venue for discussions between Maduro’s regime and the Venezuelan opposition. In a letter to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Maduro accused the U.S. of attempting to “appropriate Venezuela’s vast oil reserves – the largest on the planet – through the lethal use of military force.” This statement underscores the high stakes involved in the ongoing conflict, as Venezuela's oil resources remain a focal point of international interest.