The Trump administration’s stance of intimidation against its longtime adversary has been reinforced by the deployment of military assets near Venezuela.
President Trump says he may meet with President Maduro
President Trump has said he may meet with Venezuelan President Maduro amid a pressure campaign against Venezuela that includes a major U.S. military buildup.
President Donald Trump has said he may speak directly to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid a pressure campaign on Latin American leaders that includes a major U.S. military buildup.
“I might talk to him and we’ll see,” Trump said on November 25, when asked about Maduro while en route to Florida on Air Force One.
On November 24, the Trump administration designated the Cartel de los Soles, which President Maduro claims to lead, as a foreign terrorist organization, further exacerbating long-standing rivalries.
Asked why he would meet with President Maduro given the terrorist designation, Trump said, “If it saves lives, I don’t mind doing it the easy way, and if I have to do it the hard way, I don’t care.”
The Trump administration’s menacing stance against Maduro has been reinforced by the deployment of military bases near Venezuela and deadly attacks on boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that have killed dozens of people.
Tensions are rising as the United States has stationed its largest aircraft carrier, two guided missile destroyers, and a special operations ship near Venezuela. Approximately 12,000 troops are stationed in the area.
President Trump has said he is considering ground strikes in Venezuela against drug cartels. But while threatening military action, Trump has left the door open to diplomacy, saying he is discussing potential negotiations “with various staff members.”
Since early September, the Trump administration has bombed at least 21 boats in international waters in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing 83 people, many of them Venezuelan. Trump administration officials said, without providing evidence, that the ships were attempting to transport drugs to the United States.
Reuters reported on November 22 that the United States will soon launch a new military operation against Venezuela, starting with a covert operation.
Contributor: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY
