Trump announced that Venezuelan airspace should be considered “closed in its entirety.”
According to the outlet, the warning was delivered during a phone call between Washington and Caracas. The offer guaranteed safe passage for Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, and their son, on the condition that Maduro immediately resign.
But negotiations quickly collapsed. US officials told the Herald that Maduro’s team made two demands that Washington rejected: global amnesty for crimes allegedly committed by Maduro and his associates, and continued control over the country’s armed forces. Caracas also refused Washington’s insistence that Maduro step down immediately, causing the talks to stall.
Hours later, Trump announced that Venezuelan airspace should be considered “closed in its entirety.” Attempts by Maduro’s government to schedule another call reportedly went unanswered.
When asked if the US was about to strike the country, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One not to “read anything into” his decision to close the airspace.
Analysts argue that Maduro’s options are shrinking due to the deteriorating state of Venezuela’s armed forces. Once one of Latin America’s strongest militaries, it has been hollowed out by corruption, sanctions, defections, and aging equipment.
Ahead of the airspace closure, Washington formally designated Cartel de los Soles, a powerful criminal network allegedly tied to the Venezuelan government, as a foreign terrorist organization.
In September, the European Parliament also voted to designate Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization. The group has reportedly collaborated with Hezbollah, and some of its drug profits have helped finance attacks that killed US citizens.
The US has intensified a military intelligence campaign targeting Venezuelan drug networks, including strikes on suspected narcotics vessels.
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