Trump confirms call with Maduro amid rising tensions with Venezuela

US President Donald Trump confirmed today that he recently held a phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as tensions between the two nations reach new heights over issues of regime change, drug trafficking, and military posturing.

The confirmation came aboard Air Force One, where Trump described the conversation neutrally, stating, "I wouldn't say it went well or badly. It was a phone call."

This follows a Wall Street Journal report published on Sunday, detailing the call's focus on potential amnesty conditions if Maduro were to relinquish power.

According to the WSJ, Maduro initiated the discussion by requesting sweeping amnesty for himself, his senior aides, and their families, many of whom face US sanctions and indictments related to corruption, drug trafficking, and human rights abuses.

Trump reportedly rebuffed the plea, warning Maduro that the US would intensify military actions if he refused to step down.

The president also urged key Venezuelan officials, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, to flee the country. Sources indicate the call occurred last week, amid broader US efforts to pressure the Maduro regime.

The New York Times had earlier reported that the leaders explored conditions for a possible face-to-face meeting, adding another layer to the diplomatic intrigue.

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin, appearing on CNN's "State of the Union," revealed that the US offered Maduro an exit option to Russia or another country, framing it as a pathway to avoid further confrontation.

These disclosures highlight Washington's strategy to encourage a peaceful transition in Venezuela, where Maduro has clung to power despite international isolation.

Venezuela swiftly condemned the US actions, labeling them as aggressive maneuvers aimed at regime change.

Caracas accused Washington of preparing for an attack, pointing to a significant US
military buildup in the Caribbean, the designation of an alleged Maduro-linked drug cartel as a terrorist organization, and Trump's declaration that Venezuelan airspace should be considered "closed."

Venezuelan officials dismissed US claims that these steps target drug trafficking, insisting they are pretexts for seizing the country's vast oil reserves.

The US has ramped up its presence with deployments including the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, Navy destroyers, F-35B jets, and MQ-9 Reaper drones as part of an anti-narcotics operation launched in September 2025. A $50 million bounty remains on Maduro for his alleged role in the "Cartel of the Suns," which Venezuela denies exists. Trump's Thanksgiving remarks at Mar-a-Lago hinted at potential land strikes, emphasizing the need to halt what he called "poison" entering the US.

In response, Maduro appealed to OPEC for intervention, urging the oil cartel to counter what he described as US aggression threatening global energy stability.

China has voiced support for Maduro, with President Xi Jinping criticizing US interference in Venezuelan affairs.