Trump opens door to talks as US increases pressure on Venezuela

Donald Trump said Sunday he may hold talks with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, signaling a possible diplomatic opening even as Washington ramps up military pressure in the Caribbean. Speaking before boarding Air Force One in Palm Beach, the US president said Maduro’s government “would like to talk,” adding, “We may be having some discussions… we’ll see how that turns out.”

Trump’s remarks came the same day the USS Gerald R. Ford — the US Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier — arrived in the Caribbean Sea to join a large military build-up aimed at curbing drug trafficking and pressuring Maduro. The deployment includes more than 14,000 troops, a dozen warships, an attack submarine, a special operations vessel and F-35 fighter jets.

Trump has hinted that he has “sort of made up” his mind about whether to authorize operations inside Venezuela, saying the US has made significant progress in cutting drug flows. The administration continued its maritime strikes against alleged trafficking boats on Sunday, conducting its 21st attack since early September. At least 83 people have been killed in the operations, according to US Southern Command.

US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll said the military is reopening its jungle warfare school in Panama, dormant for more than two decades. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar also confirmed that US Marines have begun joint exercises near Venezuela’s coast. Maduro condemned the activities as an effort to intimidate his government.

Washington on Sunday designated the Cartel de Los Soles — which it says is led by Maduro and senior Venezuelan officials — as a foreign terrorist organization, expanding its legal basis for operations in the region. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the group is responsible for terrorism and drug trafficking across the hemisphere.

Trump noted the designation gives the US new options to target Maduro’s assets, though he said no such action had been decided. As the Ford carrier strike group arrived, outgoing Southern Command chief Admiral Alvin Holsey said the US remains prepared to counter threats in the region.

Maduro has accused Washington of using the naval build-up and boat strikes as preparation for an attempt to remove him from power. His defense minister last week announced the mobilization of 200,000 troops for military exercises.