(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has instructed American diplomats to cease negotiations with Caracas, raising the possibility of a “potential military escalation” or actions aimed at removing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power, according to reports. The move comes amid US claims of a crackdown on drug cartels.

Trump reportedly conveyed his directive to his special presidential envoy, Richard Grenell, who had been leading discussions with Maduro’s government, during a meeting with senior military officials last week, as stated by reports.

The US president has reportedly “grown frustrated” that Maduro refuses to step down voluntarily and that Venezuelan officials continue to deny involvement in drug trafficking. Officials have outlined multiple military options for escalation, which “could also include plans designed to force Maduro from power.”

Prior to the suspension of diplomatic channels, Grenell had been working on an agreement intended to avert broader conflict and allow American companies access to Venezuelan oil. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio deemed these efforts “unhelpful and creating confusion.”

In recent weeks, US forces have reported the destruction of several alleged “drug boats” near Venezuela, with operations reportedly resulting in more than a dozen deaths. US authorities maintain that the Venezuelan government has strong ties to drug cartels, labeling Maduro as “effectively a kingpin of a drug narco state” while refusing to recognize him as the country’s legitimate president. Publicly, Trump has denied that he is pursuing regime change in Venezuela.

Maduro has strongly rejected accusations linking him to drug trafficking and has framed US actions as attempts to depose him. He warned that any attack on Venezuela would prompt a state of “an armed struggle.” In response to the growing US military presence in the region, Caracas has increased its own defensive posture.

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