US President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that he had recently spoken by phone with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a conversation that comes at a moment of escalating tensions, military maneuvers, and deepening distrust between Washington and Caracas.
The United States has intensified pressure on Venezuela in recent months, deploying additional military assets to the Caribbean, designating a cartel allegedly tied to Maduro as a terrorist organization, and issuing stern warnings—including Trump’s declaration that Venezuelan airspace is now “closed.”
Washington maintains that its military buildup—initiated in September—is meant to clamp down on drug trafficking. Caracas, however, sees a different motive: regime change.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump downplayed the tone of the call. “I wouldn’t say it went well or badly. It was a phone call,” he told reporters.
Reports from major US outlets deepen the mystery surrounding the conversation. The New York Times noted discussions of a potential face-to-face meeting, while The Wall Street Journal reported that the topic of amnesty arose—conditional on Maduro stepping down from power.
Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin added to the speculation, stating on CNN that the United States had even offered Maduro the option to leave Venezuela for Russia or another location.
Meanwhile, Washington continues to accuse Maduro of leading the so-called “Cartel of the Suns,” offering a US$50 million reward for his capture. Venezuela and its allies deny such an organization exists at all. Analysts say what the U.S. labels a cartel may instead refer to corruption networks involving Venezuelan officials and criminal groups.
The United States, which rejects Maduro’s reelection as legitimate, has not explicitly threatened military action. Still, Trump recently suggested that efforts to block Venezuelan drug trafficking “by land” would begin “very soon,” hinting at broader operations ahead.
Venezuela Turns to OPEC
Amid mounting pressure, Venezuela has appealed to OPEC—its longtime oil ally—for support. In a letter read by Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro accused Washington of attempting to seize Venezuela’s vast oil wealth under the guise of military action.
Since September, U.S. operations have targeted alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, leaving at least 83 people dead. Critics argue that Washington has offered little concrete evidence for these operations, raising questions of legality and proportionality.
Reports from The Washington Post and CNN revealed that one September strike allegedly included a follow-up attack that killed survivors of the initial hit. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was accused of issuing an order to “kill everybody,” though Trump said Hegseth denied giving such an instruction.
“If a war had been declared… we would be talking about war crimes,” said Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela’s legislature. Without a formal war, he said the deaths can only be described as “murder or extrajudicial executions.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. has deployed its largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean, with fighter jets and bombers making repeated passes near Venezuelan territory. Despite the rising tension, Caracas’ main airport continued normal operations on Sunday.
