The New York Times, drawing on several insiders, reported that Donald Trump called Nicolás Maduro last week to discuss the possibility of a U.S. summit between the two leaders. The paper added that no concrete plans are in place yet, and that a meeting would mark the first time Maduro—an authoritarian figure in exile—has met a U.S. president.
The call’s disclosure comes amid Trump’s ongoing aggressive jabs at Caracas, even as he hints at diplomatic options. He had earlier signaled a willingness to talk to Maduro, but the Times piece shows the conversation already took place.
Trump’s administration brands Maduro an illegitimate ruler and blames him for steering a drug cartel called Cartel de los Soles—a claim that Venezuela rejects. While independent scholars point to rampant narco‑corruption in Venezuela, they see scant evidence of a formal government cartel.
Since early September, the U.S. has been striking alleged drug vessels sailing out of Venezuela and other Latin American countries—an action that Democrats, academics and human‑rights advocates label extrajudicial killings. Two U.S. officials briefed Reuters that options on the table might even involve toppling Maduro.
On Thursday, Trump reiterated earlier threats to start attacking land targets, telling reporters, “The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon.” Neither the White House nor the Venezuelan communications ministry issued comments.
White House insiders say Trump views military action and diplomacy toward Venezuela as complementary, not opposed. A big military buildup in the Caribbean has been ongoing, and Trump has approved clandestine CIA maneuvers in the country. Reuters said on Sunday that the U.S. was preparing to move into a new operational phase concerning Venezuela, possibly deploying covert tactics.
Earlier Friday, The Washington Post argued the U.S. deliberately killed survivors following a drug‑boat strike off Trinidad, calling it a “double tap” attack after Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth ordered to “kill everybody.” The Pentagon said the piece misled readers, but it could still heighten doubts over U.S. operations’ legality.
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