Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has indicated in private talks with US representatives that he is prepared to resign within 18 months, CNN reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
According to the report, the Maduro government has contacted representatives of US President Donald Trump to establish dialogue between the two countries. CNN noted that some U.S. officials believe a postponement of his resignation would be acceptable as a potential solution to the conflict between Caracas and the United States. However, the White House ultimately insisted on the immediate resignation of the Venezuelan president.
On November 29, President Trump announced the closure of Venezuelan airspace.
The US government has accused Caracas of not doing enough to combat drug smuggling. Under this pretext, the United States has deployed a large military force to the Caribbean, including a strike group led by the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, nuclear submarines, and more than 16,000 troops. Since September, the US military has destroyed at least 20 boats and removed more than 80 people.
US media has repeatedly reported that the US may soon carry out an attack on Venezuela. On November 27, President Trump said the US government would soon launch an operation to combat drug trafficking from Venezuela on land, but did not provide further details.
MNA