Trump affirms speaking with Maduro of Venezuela
President Donald Trump of the United States acknowledged on Sunday that he had spoken with President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, but he did not elaborate on the topics of their conversation.
“I don’t wish to discuss it. When asked if he had spoken with Maduro, Trump replied, “Yes.” On Air Force One, he was addressing reporters.
Trump and Maduro had a conversation earlier this month about a potential meeting in the United States, according to the New York Times.
The phone call was made public as Trump continues to speak in a belligerent manner about Venezuela while simultaneously raising the prospect of diplomacy.
Trump’s statement on Saturday that the airspace above and around Venezuela should be “closed in its entirety,” without providing any additional details, caused confusion and alarm in Caracas as his administration increases pressure on Maduro’s regime.
Upon being questioned if his remarks regarding airspace indicated that strikes against Venezuela were likely to occur, Trump responded, “Don’t read anything into it.”
The Trump administration has been considering alternatives pertaining to Venezuela in an effort to counter what it has depicted as Maduro’s involvement in the supply of illegal drugs that have resulted in American deaths. The socialist president of Venezuela has denied any involvement in the illicit drug trade.
According to Reuters, following a significant military buildup in the Caribbean and almost three months of attacks on suspected drug boats off the coast of Venezuela, the U.S. military is ready for a new phase of operations, including an effort to topple Maduro. Trump has also given the go-ahead for secret CIA activities in the nation.
The U.S. will “very soon” start land operations to halt suspected drug traffickers in Venezuela, Trump told military personnel last week.
Senior officials in Maduro’s government have not responded to the call. The head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez, was asked about the conversation during his press conference on Sunday, during which he announced a legislative probe into U.S. boat strikes in the Caribbean.
