🔗 Share this article Frictions with Venezuela Escalate Following Reported Ultimatum from Trump to Maduro. Reports suggest that ex-President Trump delivered a blunt message to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro: abandon office – and exit the country – immediately. According to accounts, the American president allegedly conducted a telephone conversation with his South American opposite number, who is the target of a sustained pressure campaign that has featured a major deployment of warships off Venezuela's Caribbean coast. "You have the chance to save yourself and your family, but you have to depart from the country immediately," Trump reportedly declared, providing guaranteed security for Maduro, his wife and his son "conditional on he agreed to step down right away." Nonetheless, the Venezuelan president allegedly declined to relinquish power on the spot and reportedly made a set of requests, such as worldwide legal immunity and being allowed to give up civilian authority while keeping command of the military. New Ratchet-Up in Long-Running Two-Nation Tensions This incident constitutes the most recent escalation of frictions between the two nations. On Monday, Trump allegedly convened with his leading security officials to deliberate on the Venezuela crisis, though specifics of that gathering were not made public. Salient Elements from the Reported Conversation Demand: Immediate departure from power and departure from the country for Maduro and his closest relatives. Alleged Rejection: Maduro supposedly turned down the offer for a rapid exit. Requests: Reportedly requested international immunity and continued authority over the army. Wider Situation: This takes place amid a larger American pressure campaign designed to removing the Venezuelan government. Upon being asked about the conversation, Trump reportedly remarking, "I wouldn't say it was successful or poorly, it was a phone call." Not one of the U.S. nor Venezuelan administrations have released additional details about the matters discussed during the highly unusual exchange, which reportedly happened in the latter part of November.
Reports suggest that ex-President Trump delivered a blunt message to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro: abandon office – and exit the country – immediately. According to accounts, the American president allegedly conducted a telephone conversation with his South American opposite number, who is the target of a sustained pressure campaign that has featured a major deployment of warships off Venezuela's Caribbean coast. "You have the chance to save yourself and your family, but you have to depart from the country immediately," Trump reportedly declared, providing guaranteed security for Maduro, his wife and his son "conditional on he agreed to step down right away." Nonetheless, the Venezuelan president allegedly declined to relinquish power on the spot and reportedly made a set of requests, such as worldwide legal immunity and being allowed to give up civilian authority while keeping command of the military. New Ratchet-Up in Long-Running Two-Nation Tensions This incident constitutes the most recent escalation of frictions between the two nations. On Monday, Trump allegedly convened with his leading security officials to deliberate on the Venezuela crisis, though specifics of that gathering were not made public. Salient Elements from the Reported Conversation Demand: Immediate departure from power and departure from the country for Maduro and his closest relatives. Alleged Rejection: Maduro supposedly turned down the offer for a rapid exit. Requests: Reportedly requested international immunity and continued authority over the army. Wider Situation: This takes place amid a larger American pressure campaign designed to removing the Venezuelan government. Upon being asked about the conversation, Trump reportedly remarking, "I wouldn't say it was successful or poorly, it was a phone call." Not one of the U.S. nor Venezuelan administrations have released additional details about the matters discussed during the highly unusual exchange, which reportedly happened in the latter part of November.