It is alleged that ex-President Donald Trump conveyed a direct demand to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro: abandon the presidency – and exit the country – without delay.
Per accounts, the U.S. leader supposedly held a telephone conversation with his Venezuelan opposite number, who is the target of a prolonged pressure campaign that has featured a major deployment of warships off Venezuela's northern coast.
"You can save yourself and your family, but you must leave the nation immediately," Trump allegedly stated, offering guaranteed security for Maduro, his spouse and his son "conditional on he agreed to step down without delay."
However, the Venezuelan president allegedly declined to resign immediately and reportedly presented a set of conditions, including worldwide amnesty and the right to cede civilian authority while maintaining command of the armed forces.
This development marks the latest increase of frictions between the two nations. Recently, Trump allegedly held talks with his leading security officials to discuss the Venezuela crisis, though particulars of that meeting have not been made public.
Upon being asked about the call, Trump was quoted as remarking, "I wouldn't say it went well or badly, it was a phone call." Neither the U.S. nor Venezuelan administrations have offered further details about the subjects talked about during the highly unusual exchange, which reportedly occurred in late November.
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