(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that he had spoken by phone with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, though he withheld any specifics about what was discussed. While traveling back to Washington, DC aboard Air Force One after spending Thanksgiving in Florida, he told reporters: "I don't want to comment on it. The answer is yes."

Pressed for more information about the exchange, he refused to elaborate, saying: "I can't do that," and adding: "I wouldn't say it went well or badly."

According to reports, the two leaders held the call the previous week and touched on the possibility of a future meeting, based on information attributed to individuals familiar with the matter.

Trump reiterated his administration’s stance toward Caracas, stating: "We consider Venezuela to be not a very friendly country. They sent millions of people, and a lot of those people shouldn't be in our country—from jails, from gangs, from drug dealers."

When questioned about whether his earlier remarks concerning Venezuelan airspace signaled an imminent military strike, he dismissed the speculation: "Don't read anything into it."

His confirmation of the call surfaces at a time of mounting strain between the two governments, particularly after Trump declared that Venezuelan airspace would be "completely shut down." In response, Venezuelan officials condemned the warning and demanded “unconditional respect” for their airspace.

These developments follow months in which the US has broadened its military footprint across Latin America, deploying a range of assets—including Marines, naval vessels, aircraft, submarines, and drones—amid ongoing speculation that Washington may be preparing for possible action against Venezuela.

Trump also announced that the US will "very soon" expand operations targeting Venezuelan drug traffickers on land, following 21 maritime operations since September that, according to reports, resulted in at least 83 deaths.

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