Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Trump Issues Exit Ultimatum to Venezuelan Leader


(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump delivered an exit ultimatum to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro last month following weeks of intensified military operations and fatal naval strikes, media disclosed Tuesday, citing unnamed officials.

The communication allegedly occurred on November 21, days before the Trump administration classified Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist entity—a network purportedly led by Maduro that authorities accuse of narcotics smuggling into American territory, media reported.

Caracas has rejected these claims, charging Washington with orchestrating regime-change tactics aimed at capturing Venezuela's extensive natural resource wealth.

Per Reuters, Maduro conveyed to Trump his readiness to depart the nation contingent upon receiving amnesty from all US sanctions for himself and his relatives, plus termination of proceedings against him at the International Criminal Court.

He additionally requested sanctions relief for more than 100 Venezuelan government figures and proposed that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez oversee an interim administration until fresh elections could be held, the wire service reported, citing sources.

Trump purportedly dismissed the majority of these demands during the approximately 15-minute exchange and informed Maduro that he and his family had one week to exit Venezuela.

The deadline lapsed Friday, triggering Trump's declaration closing the country's airspace, Reuters stated.

Sunday brought Trump's confirmation that the telephone conversation occurred, though he furnished no additional specifics.

Washington continues asserting that Maduro represents an illegitimate, cartel-connected authority, while deploying substantial military forces near Venezuela and authorizing the CIA to execute lethal clandestine missions in the region. US military units have launched attacks on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific alleged to be transporting drugs, resulting in numerous fatalities.

Maduro has characterized the accusations as justification for regime-change warfare and resource exploitation.

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