Trump reiterated that the US “could be having some conversations with Maduro” and stressed: “I’ll talk to anyone.”
MIAMI, United States. – The president of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that his government could open talks with Nicolas Madurowhile maintaining and expanding a campaign of military attacks against vessels accused of drug trafficking and moving towards the designation of the Cartel of the Suns as a foreign terrorist organization.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday in West Palm Beach, FloridaBefore returning to Washington, Trump noted: “We could have some conversations with Maduro and we’ll see how that ends.” And he added about the Venezuelan regime: “They would like to talk.”
Later, aboard Air Force One, he reiterated that the United States “could be having some conversations with Maduro” and stressed: “I’ll talk to anyone.”
Trump also indicated that he has almost made a decision on the direction of policy towards Venezuela. On Friday, according to Reutersdeclared: “In a way I already made a decision.”
Senior Administration officials told Reuters that three meetings were held last week at the White House to discuss possible military operations against Venezuela, including missile actions or ground attacks within Venezuelan territory, cited on condition of anonymity.
In parallel with the speech of possible diplomatic opening, the Trump Government reinforces the means of pressure. On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States will designate the Cartel of the Suns as a “foreign terrorist organization.”
Washington accuses the structure of this criminal organization of working with the Venezuelan gang Aragua Trainalready previously designated as a terrorist organization, to send illegal narcotics to the United States. The designation of the Cartel of the Suns will take effect on November 24 and will place it in the same category as groups such as Hamas and the Islamic State, which will allow the US government to freeze its assets and criminally punish any “material” support for that organization.
The Trump Administration maintains that Nicolás Maduro directs the Cartel of the Suns, an accusation that Maduro himself denies. The Venezuelan ruler rejects any link with drug trafficking and accuses the United States of “manufacturing” a war against him.
Trump did not rule out that the designation of the Cartel of the Suns has direct consequences on Maduro’s own assets. Asked if this classification would allow us to attack the assets and infrastructure of the Venezuelan president in his country, he responded: “That allows us to do that, but we have not said that we are going to do it.”
NBCNews precise That, when asked if the measure could be used to attack Maduro’s personal assets, Trump reiterated the same idea: “That allows us to do that, but we have not said that we are going to do it.”
