The United States may engage in discussions with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump indicated Sunday. This potential diplomatic overture coincides with a significant escalation of US military presence in the Caribbean and near Venezuela. The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, alongside other warships, marks a substantial deployment, dubbed ‘Operation Southern Spear.’ This mission involves approximately 12,000 personnel and nearly a dozen Navy ships.
The White House frames this military buildup as a counter-drug operation, aimed at disrupting drug trafficking. However, critics and observers view it as a strategy to intensify pressure on Maduro’s government. The timing of the carrier’s arrival is noteworthy, following a recent US military strike on a vessel suspected of transporting illegal drugs in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. This strike, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of three men, was publicized by the military’s Southern Command.
When questioned about the possibility of talks with Maduro, President Trump stated that Venezuela “would like to talk” and that he “may be having some discussions.” He offered no further specifics but added, “I’ll talk to anybody.” The administration’s dual approach of military posturing and potential diplomatic engagement signals a complex strategy towards Venezuela.
