Venezuela rebukes US maneuvers in Trump–Maduro phone call
U.S. President Trump confirmed he spoke by phone with Venezuelan President Maduro as tensions between Washington and Caracas continue to rise
WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he recently spoke by phone with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as tensions between Washington and Caracas continue to rise.
Venezuela, meanwhile, denounced what it described as US preparations for a military attack.
The U.S. has intensified pressure on Caracas through a major military buildup in the Caribbean, the designation of an alleged Maduro-run drug cartel as a terrorist group, and Trump’s warning that Venezuelan airspace is now “closed.” Washington says the deployment aims to curb drug trafficking, while Caracas insists the true objective is regime change.
“It was a phone call. I wouldn’t say it went well or badly,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. The New York Times reported that the two discussed a possible meeting, while The Wall Street Journal said the call included talk of potential amnesty conditions if Maduro were to step down.
The U.S. accuses Maduro, the political heir of late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez, of leading the so-called “Cartel of the Suns,” and has offered a $50 million reward for his capture. Venezuela and allied governments reject the allegations, saying the organization does not exist. Several analysts argue that the term refers loosely to corruption among senior officials rather than a structured cartel.
The Trump administration also maintains it does not recognize Maduro as the legitimate winner of last year’s presidential election. Though Trump has not openly threatened military action, he recently said US efforts to stop drug trafficking “by land” would begin “very soon.”
Since September, U.S. airstrikes have targeted boats accused of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, killing at least 83 people. U.S. officials have not provided concrete evidence to support the allegations underpinning the mission, and experts continue to question its legality.
U.S. media reported that in one September strike, the military conducted a second hit that killed survivors of an initial attack.
The Washington Post and CNN said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had directed troops to “kill everybody,” though Trump said Hegseth denied issuing such an order.
Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s legislature, said he met with relatives of Venezuelan nationals killed in the strikes.
U.S. military presence in the region continues to expand, with the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier and repeated flights by US fighter jets and bombers near Venezuelan airspace.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
