Maduro Open to Talks Amid Escalating U.S. Pressure

Tue Nov 18 2025 18:41:09 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has expressed his willingness to engage in talks with the Trump administration as pressure mounts from the U.S. government, including military threats and bounty increases.

As U.S. President Trump ramps up pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, including threats of military intervention and increased bounties for his capture, Maduro has gestured towards possible dialogue with U.S. representatives. The backdrop includes the Trump administration's accusations against Maduro of narcotics trafficking and a military operation in the Caribbean targeting Venezuelan drug shipments. While Maduro invites discussions, past negotiations have repeatedly failed, raising concerns about the potential for greater conflict.

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 stated he had not ruled out deploying ground forces to Venezuela. 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 these allegations and accuses the US of attempting to incite a war to gain control of Venezuela's oil reserves. Since Trump took office for a second term in January, the US government has intensified its pressure on Maduro, doubling the reward for information leading to his capture to $50 million, while also launching Operation Southern Spear, targeting vessels allegedly transporting drugs to the US.

More than 80 fatalities have been reported from US strikes on suspected vessels, and while the operation aims to eliminate 'narcoterrorists' from the Western Hemisphere, legal experts question its legality due to a lack of evidence regarding drug shipments.

The US military presence, including the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, has led to speculation that the ultimate goal may be to remove Maduro from power.

Trump's contradictory statements regarding military action in Venezuela have added to the tension. Recently, he indicated he would be open to dialogue with Maduro, yet the Trump administration continues to propose the designation of Maduro's alleged drug trafficking group as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, an action that carries serious implications.

In his public appearances, Maduro has addressed the American public directly, emphasizing peace and dialogue. Despite his willingness to negotiate, previous talks mediated by Norway and the Vatican have failed, leaving the situation in Venezuela fraught with uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado is actively working to sway the military against Maduro, calling for a united front against his administration, which she labels as a 'criminal structure.'