Former President Donald Trump has confirmed direct interaction with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro,a development occurring as the Biden governance weighs its options regarding the ongoing political adn economic crisis in Venezuela. The call, and Trump’s subsequent announcement regarding Venezuelan airspace, raises questions about potential shifts in U.S. policy toward the region and complicates existing diplomatic efforts [[1]]. The State Department has not yet commented on the former president’s outreach.
President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday he spoke by phone last week with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a move that comes amid heightened tensions and speculation about potential U.S. intervention in the South American nation. The conversation raises questions about the Biden administration’s approach to Venezuela as it navigates a complex geopolitical landscape.
When asked about the call, which was first reported by several U.S. news outlets, Trump was brief. “I don’t want to comment on that. The answer is yes,” he said.
Pressed for further details, the former president added, “I wouldn’t say it was good or bad. It was a phone call.”
Trump also addressed a post he made Saturday on his Truth Social platform, announcing he was “closing” Venezuelan airspace. The statement sparked concerns it could signal an impending military action.
However, Trump urged against drawing conclusions from the announcement. “Don’t make conclusions out of that,” he said, clarifying that the warning stemmed from the belief that “Venezuela is not a very friendly country.”
On Saturday, Trump declared that the airspace “over” Venezuela “and its surrounding areas” was completely “closed,” a move some interpreted as a precursor to a potential ground invasion.
The announcement followed Trump’s statements earlier in the week regarding his intention to enter Venezuelan territory to apprehend drug traffickers, coinciding with a buildup of U.S. military personnel in the region.
“To all airlines, pilots, drug traffickers and human traffickers: you are hereby warned that the airspace over Venezuela and its surrounding areas will remain completely closed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
