A High-Stakes Phone Call: Maduro's Negotiation Attempt with Trump Amid U.S. Pressure

Details surrounding a crucial phone conversation between Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and U.S. President Donald Trump have emerged following their brief discussion on November 21. The conversation, lasting less than 15 minutes, unfolded amid escalating tensions due to the U.S. military's deployment in the Caribbean. According to reports from Reuters, Maduro aimed to negotiate his exit from Venezuela under specific conditions that he sought from Washington. During the call, Maduro allegedly proposed terms that included total amnesty for himself and his family, the lifting of existing sanctions on over a hundred high-ranking Venezuelan officials—many of whom are implicated in human rights violations, corruption, or drug trafficking—and a transitional government led by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez until new elections could be organized. This overture by Maduro came in the context of increased U.S. pressure, which had involved military actions targeting alleged drug trafficking vessels and threats of expanding operations on land. Trump, however, seemingly dismissed the majority of Maduro's demands. While he offered Maduro the opportunity to leave Venezuela with his family, he set a deadline for this ultimatum that expired just days before the announcement of closed Venezuelan airspace, adding to the pressures mounting against the Maduro regime. This dramatic conversation reflects the broader geopolitical struggle, as Caracas consistently denies U.S. accusations, claiming they are motivated by a desire to control Venezuela's rich natural resources. The U.S. designations, including classifying the Cartel of the Suns—a group alleged to involve Maduro—as a terrorist organization, have intensified the conflict between the two nations. As the situation develops, the implications of this phone call reverberate not only through Venezuela, where a humanitarian crisis persists, but also throughout international relations involving key players in the region. The complexities of U.S.-Venezuela relations continue to unfold against a backdrop of economic collapse, political instability, and human rights concerns. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2