US President Donald Trump speaks to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during a telephone conversation on November 21 given an ultimatum to leave Venezuela, Reuters news agency reports based on four sources. Maduro would have been given a week to go to a country of his choice with his family.
According to Reuters’ sources, Maduro was willing to leave Venezuela if he were granted full criminal amnesty, the US lifted sanctions on Maduro and other government officials and the case against Maduro at the International Criminal Court was ended. Trump would not have been willing to meet all those demands.
The ultimatum expired on Friday. A day later, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the airspace above Venezuela should be considered closed. The American president had previously said that he could not rule out military intervention in Venezuela. In recent months, the US has been carrying out attacks on suspected drug boats from Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea.
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The United States does not recognize Maduro as a legitimate president and accuses him of large-scale drug trafficking and “narcoterrorism.” Information leading to his arrest carries a reward of up to $50 million. According to Reuters, Maduro has requested a new phone call with Trump.
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