Frictions with Venezuela Rise Following Purported Demand from President Trump to Venezuela's Leader.
Reports suggest that formerPresident Trump conveyed a unambiguous message to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro: relinquish power – and flee the nation – without delay.
Per accounts, the U.S. leader reportedly held a telephone conversation with his South American counterpart, who is the focus of a sustained pressure campaign that has featured a major deployment of warships off Venezuela's northern coast.
"You can save yourself and those closest to you, but you need to depart from the nation immediately," Trump reportedly declared, providing guaranteed security for Maduro, his wife and his son "conditional on he consented to step down without delay."
Nevertheless, the Venezuelan president reportedly refused to relinquish power on the spot and reportedly made a set of requests, such as international legal immunity and the right to cede political control while keeping control of the armed forces.
Latest Increase in Long-Running Bilateral Tensions
This development constitutes the latest heightening of tensions between the two countries. On Monday, Trump reportedly convened with his senior national security advisers to discuss the Venezuelan crisis, though details of that meeting have not been made public.
Salient Details from the Alleged Conversation
- Final Offer: Immediate departure from power and departure from the country for Maduro and his immediate family.
- Alleged Refusal: Maduro reportedly rejected the conditions for a rapid exit.
- Conditions: Reportedly requested protection from prosecution worldwide and continued control over the military.
- Broader Context: This occurs within a broader U.S.-led pressure campaign designed to removing the Venezuelan administration.
Upon being asked about the call, Trump was quoted as remarking, "I can't say it went well or badly, it was a phone call." Not one of the U.S. nor Venezuelan governments have provided further details about the topics discussed during the remarkable exchange, which is thought to have taken place in the latter part of November.
