Speaking with reporters on Sunday, President Donald Trump suggested that his administration is having ongoing discussions with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump had previously ordered his diplomats to cut contact with Caracas.
“We may be discussing we may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we’ll see how that turns out,” the President said. “They would like to talk.”
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The potential talks are taking place amid the US’s massive military buildup in the Caribbean. The US has moved Marines, warplanes, an attack submarine, and an aircraft carrier strike group into the region.
Trump told the reporters he has the authority to order strikes on Venezuela because Maduro is the head of a cartel designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated two Venezuelan cartels as terror groups earlier this year. However, Congress has not declared war or otherwise given the President authority to wage war in Venezuela. Additionally, the administration has not provided evidence that Maduro is the head of a cartel, and experts dispute the claim.
Maduro has shown a willingness to engage with the Trump administration. Shortly after Trump returned to the White House, his personnel envoy Ric Gernell met with Maduro and secured the release of six Americans. Reports in recent months suggest Gernell has been sidelined from White House discussions on Venezuela, and that Trump ordered his envoy to cut contact with Caracas.
It is unclear what Trump is seeking from Maduro. The President previously said that Caracas was willing to allow American firms access to Venezuela’s natural resources. Trump and other top US officials have asserted that Maduro is an illegitimate president and must hand power over to the Venezuelan opposition.
