Donald Trump decided to close the door to dialogue with Nicolás Maduro who was in the hands of Richard Grenelll and bet on a tougher line, reports the New York Times newspaper citing officials
United States President Donald Trump ordered all the diplomatic efforts of his administration with the administration of Nicolás Maduro, as confirmed by US officials confirmed to the New York Times. The measure, which ends the conversations headed by the special envoy Richard Grenell, opens the door to a possible military escalation of the United States against drug trafficking or even against the Venezuelan ruler himself, says the American newspaper.
Grenelll had led negotiations with senior Venezuelan officials for several months. However, at a meeting with military bosses last Thursday, Trump called him to instruct him to cease all diplomatic contact, including conversations with Maduro. “All efforts are suspended,” said the sources.
The decision reflects the president’s frustration to what Maduro’s refusal to abandon power in a voluntary manner and his insistence on denying any link with drug trafficking. “Trump has lost her patience,” said an official familiar with conversations.
According to The report of New York Timesthe White House has already evaluated several military plans that could contemplate greater reach operations, and even maneuvers aimed at forcing Maduro’s departure. Marco Rubio, current Secretary of State and National Security Counselor, has repeatedly described the Venezuelan leader as “illegitimate” and has described it as “a fugitive from US justice.”
Rubio has repeatedly recalled Washington’s formal accusation against Maduro for drug trafficking and the 50 million dollars reward offered for his capture. A White House official said Trump is willing to use “all elements of American power” to stop drug entry into the country.
Meanwhile, military operations continue. Last Friday, the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, reported that US forces attacked a boat in international waters near Venezuela, in an action that left four dead. It was the fourth known attack against ships that, according to the Trump administration, transported narcotics.
In parallel to these operations, Grenell had tried to advance in an agreement that avoids a greater conflict and allowed US companies to access Venezuelan oil. Maduro had sent a letter to the president denying any drug trafficking activity and offering to continue negotiations. However, Rubio and his allies considered that these efforts were “little useful” and generated confusion within the government.
In the Venezuelan case, Diplomatic Defenders warn that any attempt to extend the anti -narcotics campaign within the territory or to promote a regime change would imply an open war risk. “Expanding the operation towards an attempt to overthrow Maduro would be exactly the type of prolonged conflict that Trump promised to avoid,” said one of the former officials consulted.
Grenelll and Rubio have maintained differences in the past on how to handle the relationship with Caracas, especially in relation to the release of American citizens detained in Venezuela. With suspended diplomacy and war drums sounding stronger, the future of Washington’s policy towards Maduro is placed again at a crossroads.
*Also read: Cabello says they maintain contact with the US to “protect” their embassy in Caracas
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