The White House Issues an Ultimatum to Maduro as US Land Operations Loom
With land attacks on the horizon in Venezuela, a tense phone call between the White House and Caracas aimed to defuse the crisis. The message to Nicolás Maduro was clear: leave the country immediately, or face dire consequences. Sources revealed that Maduro and his inner circle were given a choice: resignation in exchange for safe passage. The Trump administration's stance was unwavering, demanding Maduro's departure to restore democratic governance.
The conversation, reported by the New York Times, quickly hit a wall. Maduro's team proposed handing over political control to the opposition while retaining military power, a proposal rejected by the US. The administration's offer of safe passage hinged on immediate resignation, a condition Maduro's side refused to meet.
This standoff comes amidst heightened tensions as the US prepares to target the notorious Cartel de los Soles, allegedly led by Maduro and his allies. The Justice Department's indictment of Maduro and his associates in 2020 labeled the regime a 'narco-terrorist enterprise.' The US has placed substantial rewards on Maduro and Diosdado Cabello, indicating their suspicion of their involvement in drug trafficking.
President Trump's announcement of expanded military operations, including land-based missions, further escalated the situation. During a Thanksgiving call, he warned of imminent action to disrupt Venezuelan drug networks. The call, seen as a last-ditch effort, failed due to Maduro's demands for global amnesty and control of the armed forces, conditions the US refused.
The US has also taken legal steps, designating the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, placing Maduro and his ministers in the same legal category as global terror leaders. This move grants the administration broader authority for military action, sparking criticism from Caracas, which denies the cartel's existence.
The escalating crisis is marked by a significant US military buildup near Venezuela's borders, with advanced naval and air assets deployed in the Caribbean. The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford and other powerful assets signals a potential military intervention, raising concerns about the region's stability.
