“US President Donald Trump gave Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro time to leave until last Friday, after which on Saturday he announced the closure of the airspace over the country.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Nicolás Maduro, photo: AFP/Getty Images Source: Reuters with reference to sources and editions of the Miami Herald
Literally Reuters: “Maduro has exhausted all options to resign and leave the country under a US guarantee of safe passage after a brief phone call with US President Donald Trump last month, during which Trump rejected a series of requests from the Venezuelan leader.”
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Details: The Nov. 21 conversation follows months of increased U.S. pressure on Venezuela, including strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean, Trump’s repeated threats to expand military operations on land and the designation of the Cartel de los Soles, a group the Trump administration says includes Maduro, as a foreign terrorist organization.
Maduro and his government have always denied all criminal charges and said the US is seeking regime change to take control of Venezuela’s vast natural resources, including oil.
Maduro told Trump in a phone call that he was willing to leave Venezuela if he and his family were granted a full amnesty, including the lifting of all U.S. sanctions and an end to the case against him at the International Criminal Court.
He also asked for the lifting of sanctions against more than 100 Venezuelan government officials, many of whom the US accuses of human rights abuses, drug trafficking or corruption.
Maduro has asked Vice President Delsea Rodriguez to lead an interim government until new elections are held, two Reuters sources said.
Trump rejected most of Maduro’s requests in a phone call that lasted less than 15 minutes, but said he had a week to leave Venezuela with his family members.
That exit deadline expired on Friday, prompting Trump to announce the closure of Venezuelan airspace on Saturday.
On Sunday, Trump confirmed that he had spoken with Maduro, without providing details. The White House declined to provide additional information, and Venezuela’s information ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Prehistory: The day before, Trump told reporters that he had a phone conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Earlier, the American leader announced the strengthening of the fight against Venezuelan drug traffickers.
On November 29, Trump declared the airspace over Venezuela “completely closed”, this may indicate US military plans against this country.
According to CNN, Trump and senior national security officials met at the White House on December 2 to discuss the next steps for Venezuela amid increasing pressure from the US administration on the country.