Maduro Open to Dialogue Amid Rising US Pressure

Fri Dec 05 2025 08:31:04 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Nicolás Maduro expresses willingness for talks with the Trump administration as US intensifies efforts to unseat him amid rising tensions over drug trafficking allegations.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has indicated his readiness to engage in direct discussions with representatives of the Trump administration, coinciding with increased US pressure on his government. As the US doubles its bounty for information leading to Maduro's capture and escalates military actions in the Caribbean against alleged drug shipments from Venezuela, Maduro has taken a defiant stance, denying accusations of drug trafficking and urging for peaceful dialogue. These developments come as the Trump administration contemplates labeling Maduro's associated groups as foreign terrorist organizations, raising concerns about potential military objectives.

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has said that he is willing to hold face-to-face talks with representatives of the Trump administration as US pressure on him grows.

Maduro made the comment hours after US President Donald Trump said he had not ruled out deploying ground forces to the South American country.

The Trump administration has accused Maduro - whose re-election last year was dismissed as rigged by many countries - of being the leader of a drugs cartel.

Maduro has denied the allegation and accuses the US of trying to incite a war to gain control of Venezuela's oil reserves.

Since Trump was sworn in to a second term in office in January, the US government has been increasing its pressure on Maduro.

It has doubled the reward it offers for information leading to his capture to $50m (38m) and in August launched a counternarcotics operation targeting boats it accuses of transporting drugs from Venezuela to the US.

More than 80 people have been killed in the US strikes on suspected vessels since, most of them in the Caribbean as well as some in the Pacific.

According to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the aim of Operation Southern Spear is to remove narcoterrorists from the Western Hemisphere.

Legal experts have questioned the legality of the strikes, pointing out that the US has provided no evidence that the boats were carrying drugs.

However, the size of the US military deployment, which includes the US Navy's largest aircraft carrier, has led to speculation both in Venezuela and in the US that its real aim is to remove Maduro from power.

Trump has been repeatedly asked by journalists about his government's plan and has given seemingly contradictory answers.

On Sunday, when asked whether he would rule out US troops on the ground in Venezuela, he replied: No, I don't rule out that, I don't rule out anything. However, he also indicated a willingness to speak directly with Maduro.

Maduro has addressed the US people directly in public appearances, advocating peace over war and expressing readiness for dialogue.

Despite past negotiations failing, Maduro continues to call for talks while the Venezuelan opposition seeks to capitalize on the military's unrest against him.