Tensions with Venezuela Escalate In the Wake of Purported Ultimatum from Trump to Nicolás Maduro.
Sources indicate that ex-President Donald Trump conveyed a direct ultimatum to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro: relinquish office – and exit the nation – immediately.
According to accounts, the American president supposedly held a telephone conversation with his South American opposite number, who is the target of a prolonged pressure campaign that has featured a major deployment of warships off Venezuela's northern coast.
"You can save yourself and your family, but you have to depart from the nation immediately," the U.S. president reportedly declared, providing assured transit for Maduro, his wife and his son "only if he consented to step down immediately."
Nonetheless, the Venezuelan president allegedly refused to resign on the spot and reportedly made a set of counter-demands, including worldwide immunity from prosecution and being allowed to give up political control while maintaining control of the military.
Latest Ratchet-Up in Long-Running Bilateral Tensions
This exchange marks the latest heightening of frictions between the two nations. Recently, Trump allegedly met with his leading security officials to deliberate on the Venezuela situation, though particulars of that meeting were not revealed.
Central Details from the Alleged Conversation
- Ultimatum: Instant resignation and departure from the country for Maduro and his closest relatives.
- Reported Refusal: Maduro did not accept the conditions for a swift exit.
- Requests: Sought global amnesty and continued authority over the military.
- Broader Context: This occurs within a broader American pressure campaign aimed at ousting the Venezuelan regime.
Upon being asked about the call, Trump was quoted as saying, "I can't say it was successful or badly, it was a telephone conversation." Not one of the American nor Venezuelan administrations have offered more details about the matters talked about during the remarkable exchange, which reportedly occurred in late November.
