US rejects Maduro’s offer for direct talks

WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – The United States dismissed a proposal by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for direct talks with US President Donald Trump, amid mounting tensions in the Caribbean.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Maduro’s letter to Trump contained “a lot of lies” and reiterated that the Trump administration’s position on Venezuela “has not changed,” viewing his government as illegitimate.

The rebuff came as two Venezuelan opposition leaders backed a US naval build-up off the country’s coast, calling it essential for restoring democracy.

Trump has dispatched eight warships and a submarine to the southern Caribbean in an anti-drug operation that Caracas fears could be a prelude to invasion. US forces have destroyed at least three alleged Venezuelan drug boats in recent weeks, killing more than a dozen people.

Venezuela’s defense minister, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, accused Washington of waging “an undeclared war” and said those killed on the boats were “executed without the right to a defense.”

Maduro, whose disputed re-election in July 2024 was rejected by the opposition and much of the international community, denied US claims that he leads a drug cartel.

In his letter, he urged Trump to “keep the peace” and stressed that accusations from Washington were “absolutely false.”

The Venezuelan leader accused the US of pursuing regime change, recalling Trump’s failed attempts during his first term to hasten his removal from office.