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Trump, Maduro Hold Phone Talks on Potential Face-to-Face Summit
(MENAFN) U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in a telephone conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro within the past week, The New York Times (NYT) disclosed on Friday, according to individuals with direct knowledge of the discussion.
The two heads of state explored the potential for a face-to-face summit, although no concrete arrangements or scheduling have been finalized at this time, the report indicated. The publication further emphasized that both the White House and the Venezuelan government refused to provide any official statement regarding the telephone exchange.
According to multiple reports, the United States formally classified Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization on Nov. 24 and levied sanctions against the network, which American authorities allege operates under Maduro's leadership.
The Venezuelan government responded with a formal statement condemning the designation, characterizing it as a baseless fabrication designed to unlawfully interfere in Venezuela's sovereign domestic matters.
The telephone discussion, which included participation from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, occurred several days prior to the terrorist designation becoming officially enforceable, the NYT stated.
Two persons with close connections to the Venezuelan government additionally verified that a direct conversation between the two national leaders had indeed occurred, the publication added.
Referencing an anonymous informant, media reported on Monday that Trump has reached a definitive decision to engage in direct dialogue with Maduro. "There's more talk about talking and less talk about bombing," a source quoted by media said.
"Nobody is planning to go in and shoot him or snatch him (Maduro) -- at this point. I wouldn't say never, but that's not the plan right now," one official familiar with the issue was quoted by media as saying.
According to the report, Trump's decision represents a significant turning point in his aggressive diplomatic approach toward Venezuela and may signal that U.S. missile strikes or direct military action are not imminent.
During his Thanksgiving address to U.S. military personnel on Thursday evening, Trump indicated that the United States might "very soon" initiate ground-based operations targeting narcotics trafficking organizations within Venezuela.
Since the beginning of September, the Pentagon has executed over 20 documented strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels throughout the Caribbean and East Pacific regions, resulting in more than 80 fatalities.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, a major aircraft carrier, deployed to the Caribbean within the previous week, escalating U.S. military deployment in the area to unprecedented levels not witnessed for a minimum of three decades. Combined forces now total approximately 15,000 military personnel.
High-ranking U.S. defense officials have additionally conducted repeated visits throughout the region, amplifying anxieties regarding prospective U.S. military intervention against Venezuela.
On Thursday, Maduro delivered remarks to military forces through video transmission during a defense ceremony, urging national solidarity and preparedness to counter external aggression.
Following his return to the presidency, Trump has escalated pressure against Maduro and his associated officials, including by increasing the financial reward for intelligence leading to Maduro's capture on narcoterrorism accusations to 50 million U.S. dollars.
Maduro has categorically rejected any connection to narcotics operations, charging the United States with manufacturing justification for military conflict intended to force governmental overthrow in Venezuela.
Current intelligence assessments from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reveal that Venezuela does not constitute a principal origin point for illicit drugs entering American territory, adding further complexity to the diplomatic standoff between the two nations.
The two heads of state explored the potential for a face-to-face summit, although no concrete arrangements or scheduling have been finalized at this time, the report indicated. The publication further emphasized that both the White House and the Venezuelan government refused to provide any official statement regarding the telephone exchange.
According to multiple reports, the United States formally classified Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization on Nov. 24 and levied sanctions against the network, which American authorities allege operates under Maduro's leadership.
The Venezuelan government responded with a formal statement condemning the designation, characterizing it as a baseless fabrication designed to unlawfully interfere in Venezuela's sovereign domestic matters.
The telephone discussion, which included participation from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, occurred several days prior to the terrorist designation becoming officially enforceable, the NYT stated.
Two persons with close connections to the Venezuelan government additionally verified that a direct conversation between the two national leaders had indeed occurred, the publication added.
Referencing an anonymous informant, media reported on Monday that Trump has reached a definitive decision to engage in direct dialogue with Maduro. "There's more talk about talking and less talk about bombing," a source quoted by media said.
"Nobody is planning to go in and shoot him or snatch him (Maduro) -- at this point. I wouldn't say never, but that's not the plan right now," one official familiar with the issue was quoted by media as saying.
According to the report, Trump's decision represents a significant turning point in his aggressive diplomatic approach toward Venezuela and may signal that U.S. missile strikes or direct military action are not imminent.
During his Thanksgiving address to U.S. military personnel on Thursday evening, Trump indicated that the United States might "very soon" initiate ground-based operations targeting narcotics trafficking organizations within Venezuela.
Since the beginning of September, the Pentagon has executed over 20 documented strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels throughout the Caribbean and East Pacific regions, resulting in more than 80 fatalities.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, a major aircraft carrier, deployed to the Caribbean within the previous week, escalating U.S. military deployment in the area to unprecedented levels not witnessed for a minimum of three decades. Combined forces now total approximately 15,000 military personnel.
High-ranking U.S. defense officials have additionally conducted repeated visits throughout the region, amplifying anxieties regarding prospective U.S. military intervention against Venezuela.
On Thursday, Maduro delivered remarks to military forces through video transmission during a defense ceremony, urging national solidarity and preparedness to counter external aggression.
Following his return to the presidency, Trump has escalated pressure against Maduro and his associated officials, including by increasing the financial reward for intelligence leading to Maduro's capture on narcoterrorism accusations to 50 million U.S. dollars.
Maduro has categorically rejected any connection to narcotics operations, charging the United States with manufacturing justification for military conflict intended to force governmental overthrow in Venezuela.
Current intelligence assessments from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reveal that Venezuela does not constitute a principal origin point for illicit drugs entering American territory, adding further complexity to the diplomatic standoff between the two nations.
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