Trump confirms a call with Venezuela’s Maduro amid a major US military buildup. Caracas accuses Washington of preparing an attack to seize oil reserves
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump confirmed he recently spoke with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro amid soaring bilateral tensions.
“I wouldn’t say it went well or badly. It was a phone call,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday.
This follows media reports that the call discussed a potential meeting and amnesty if Maduro stepped down.
Meanwhile, Caracas slammed what it called US preparations for an attack, insisting Washington’s ultimate goal is regime change.
The US is conducting a major military buildup in the Caribbean, which it says aims to curb regional drug trafficking.
Washington has designated an alleged drug cartel run by Maduro, the “Cartel of the Suns,” as a terrorist group.
It has also issued a USD 50 million reward for Maduro’s capture and declared Venezuelan airspace “closed.”
Venezuela and its allies insist the “Cartel of the Suns” does not exist, with experts saying it refers to official corruption.
The US does not recognise Maduro as the legitimate winner of last year’s presidential election.
Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin said the US has offered Maduro the chance to leave for Russia or elsewhere.
Venezuela has requested assistance from OPEC to “stop this (American) aggression.”
Maduro, in a letter to the oil group, accused Washington of trying to seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves by force.
Since September, US airstrikes have targeted alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing at least 83.
US media reported a follow-up strike in September killed survivors of an initial attack.
Reports said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive to “kill everybody,” which Trump said Hegseth denied.
“We’ll look into it, but no, I wouldn’t have wanted that — not a second strike,” Trump stated.
The head of Venezuela’s legislature, Jorge Rodriguez, met with relatives of those killed in the strikes.
He said the killings could be characterised as “murder or extrajudicial executions.”
The US military buildup includes deploying the world’s largest aircraft carrier to Caribbean waters.
American fighter jets and bombers have repeatedly flown off the Venezuelan coast in recent days.
Six airlines have cancelled services to Venezuela, but Caracas’ airport was functioning normally on Sunday. – AFP
