Post by : Saif Rahman

On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he had a conversation with Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, marking a notable development in the strained relations between Washington and Caracas. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump responded affirmatively when asked if he had connected with Maduro, stating, “The answer is yes,” but provided no further details about the conversation.

This brief acknowledgment raises numerous questions, as the U.S. has historically engaged in a hostile approach toward Venezuela, accusing Maduro of corruption and drug trafficking—a claim Maduro has consistently refuted. The nature of the phone call is puzzling given Trump’s history of using aggressive rhetoric towards Venezuela, although he occasionally hints at a willingness for dialogue.

Sources suggest the two leaders might have discussed a potential face-to-face meeting in the U.S., as first reported by The New York Times. Yet, Trump refrained from characterizing the discussion, simply noting, “I wouldn’t say it went well or badly.”

The timing of this revelation is significant. Just a day before the confirmation, Trump stated that all airspace over Venezuela “should be considered closed in its entirety,” leading to confusion and concern in Caracas over possible U.S. military intentions. When pressed about the implications of his comments, Trump advised reporters not to “read anything into it.”

Nonetheless, this remark did little to alleviate anxiety. Reports indicate the U.S. government has been exploring various actions concerning Venezuela, including efforts to remove Maduro and potential military operations in the Caribbean. The U.S. military has reportedly focused on intercepting vessels near Venezuela's coast alleged to be trafficking drugs to the U.S.

Human rights advocates have condemned these military operations, asserting that they have resulted in illegal strikes harming civilians rather than targeting criminals. Some U.S. partners have voiced concerns that these actions may contravene international laws.

Trump indicated he would investigate accusations that U.S. military actions may have unintentionally harmed survivors during a September operation, reiterating he would never endorse such an incident. In contrast, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has defended the strikes as lawful and intended to be “lethal.”

Last week, Trump informed American troops that land operations against Venezuelan drug traffickers would commence “very soon,” hinting that tensions might escalate further.

As of now, neither Maduro nor other Venezuelan officials have reacted to the phone call. When asked about it, Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, declined to comment, instead highlighting an investigation into the U.S. strikes in the Caribbean.

This confirmed phone call suggests that communication persists even amid escalating tensions, yet with ambiguous military strategies and significant political pressure, both nations remain on high alert. The international community watches intently, uncertain if this development may lead to new diplomatic efforts—or exacerbate the ongoing conflict.

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