The president of the United States, Donald Trump, affirmed this Friday that his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro, has offered “everything” to avoid an open conflict with Washington, an assertion that was categorically denied by the Latin American ruler himself.
“He has offered everything. Do you know why? Because he doesn’t want to mess with the United States,” Trump declared during a press conference at the White House this Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump’s statements came hours after the United States confirmed a military attack in the Caribbean, this time against a submarine allegedly loaded with drugs.
The US president assured that the submarine was built specifically to transport large quantities of narcotics and highlighted that his government maintains an active campaign against “narcoterrorism” to which he links the Maduro government.
In this attack there could be survivors, according to the press, a possibility that the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, present at the meeting at the White House, did not want to confirm.
Since August, Washington has deployed warships, F-35 fighters and a nuclear submarine in international waters near Venezuela, carrying out at least six attacks against suspicious vessels that have left 28 dead.
This Thursday, however, it was reported that two people survived the attack and were captured by US forces, raising questions about their legal future.
Maduro denies negotiations and calls his critics “imbeciles”
In response to Trump’s comments, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro categorically denied that his government had entered into negotiations with the United States to avoid an escalation.
The Venezuelan leader also attacked the media and critics who have suggested that his government is willing to give up natural resources, such as oil, in exchange for an agreement with Washington. “They are idiots. Stupid, stupid, stupid, you are very stupid“Maduro said in English, using a sarcastic tone.
“They tried to create an intrigue that we were divided, that we were at odds. Nobody believed that. That is simply impossible,” said Maduro during a public event with his vice president, Delcy Rodríguez.
For her part, the official described the reports as “fake news” and reiterated the Venezuelan government’s commitment to national sovereignty. “There is no negotiation. We are firm in the defense of our homeland,” he assured.
Military reinforcement on the Venezuelan borders
Given the US military deployment in the Caribbean, Venezuela has reinforced its presence in border and coastal areas.
This Friday, Maduro announced military exercises in the states of Mérida, Trujillo, Lara and Yaracuy, in the west of the country, while on Thursday deployments were reported in Táchira and Amazonas, near the border with Colombia.
In Táchira, where the three main crossings connecting Venezuela with Colombia are located, the troops were deployed around the Simón Bolívar International Bridge, which connects the Colombian cities of Cúcuta and Villa del Rosario with the Venezuelan San Antonio, the French press agency AFP confirmed.
In the state of Amazonas, troops were dispersed to protect “strategic companies” and “basic services.” There were also maneuvers in Nueva Esparta, Sucre and Delta Amacuro, close to neighboring Trinidad and Tobago.
Meanwhile, President Trump has hinted at the possibility of ground operations in Venezuelan territory. “There are almost no ships left to attack,” he declared recently, suggesting that his administration could expand its military strategy.
Experts in international law have questioned the legality of US actions, especially attacks in international waters without prior trial or formal capture of suspects, describing the events as extrajudicial executions.
Colombia expresses concern and demands transparency
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has been one of the most vocal critics of US military operations. This Friday, he raised the possibility that Colombian citizens may have been among the victims of the attacks and warned that, if confirmed, he would take the case to international courts.
“If it is proven that Colombians were murdered without due process, we will demand justice,” Petro stated. However, he did not present concrete evidence to support his statement.
The US continues to deport Venezuelans
While the diplomatic and military crisis worsens, the United States continued with its policy of mass deportations of Venezuelan migrants.
This Friday, a flight with 196 Venezuelans—including three minors—landed in Caracas, according to the Ministry of Interior Relations of the South American country.
Since February, more than 14,947 Venezuelans have been repatriated from the United States, many of them under the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 regulation that the Trump administration has used to justify mass expulsions.
U.S. authorities allege that some migrants are linked to the Tren de Aragua criminal group or lack legal immigration status.
