President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States may open talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, marking a potential shift as tensions rise and Washington expands its military presence in the Caribbean.
Trump told reporters in West Palm Beach that Maduro “would like to talk,” but offered no further details. Washington has long accused the Venezuelan leader of links to drug trafficking, allegations Maduro rejects.
The remarks follow three senior-level meetings at the White House last week to review possible military options against Venezuela, including limited land strikes, according to officials familiar with the discussions. Trump said on Friday that he had “sort of made up” his mind on the issue, indicating that a decision could come soon. Caracas did not immediately comment.
Earlier on Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States would designate Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organisation.
U.S. officials accuse the group of working with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to transport narcotics into the United States and allege that Maduro oversees the network, a claim he denies. Asked whether the designation could allow the United States to target Maduro’s assets, Trump said it “allows us to do that,” while stressing that no decision had been taken.
The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford and its strike group had moved into the Caribbean, joining eight warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 aircraft already deployed.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have condemned recent U.S. boat strikes targeting suspected drug traffickers as extrajudicial killings. Some U.S. allies have also raised concerns about the operations’ legality.
The White House argues that the United States is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels and says military personnel involved in the strikes are protected under a Justice Department legal opinion.
Venezuela has accused Washington of violating international law and says it is preparing its defences.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Friday found that only 35% of respondents support the use of U.S. military force inside Venezuela without the government's approval.
Trump’s comments came as the Pentagon announced another strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing three people described as “narco-terrorists.” It was the twenty-first such operation since early September, bringing the total reported deaths to more than eighty.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (11 February) that his government will only hold national elections once a ceasefire with Ru...
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has firmly ruled out any discussion of the country’s ballistic missile capabilities in the newly resumed, O...
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Te...
Türkiye and Greece signalled renewed political will to ease long-standing tensions during high-level talks in Ankara on Wednesday (11 February). Mari...
Tropical Cyclone Gezani has killed at least 31 people and left four others missing after tearing through eastern Madagascar, the government said on We...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (11 February) that his government will only hold national elections once a ceasefire with Russia is in place and security guarantees are secured, pushing back at suggestions of fresh ballots under pressure from international partners.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
Türkiye and Greece signalled renewed political will to ease long-standing tensions during high-level talks in Ankara on Wednesday (11 February). Maritime borders, migration and trade topped the agenda as both leaders struck a cautiously optimistic tone.
A Republican lawmaker accused on Wednesday (11 February) Attorney General Pam Bondi of concealing the names of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful associates. The claim was made during a heated House hearing on the Justice Department’s handling of the files.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday (10 February) encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Ankara on Wednesday, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, marking the start of high-level talks between the two NATO allies.
Europe heads into the Munich Security Conference, 13 February, amid deepening unease over U.S. policy, as President Donald Trump’s hard-line stance on defence, trade and territory fuels doubts about Washington’s long-term commitment to transatlantic security.
The European Union is preparing a further expansion of its sanctions against Russia, with Central Asia emerging for the first time as a distinct point of focus.
A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader said on Tuesday that negotiations with the United States must remain focused on the nuclear issue and be grounded in realism, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume talks mediated by Oman.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
A Republican lawmaker accused on Wednesday (11 February) Attorney General Pam Bondi of concealing the names of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful associates. The claim was made during a heated House hearing on the Justice Department’s handling of the files.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 12th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The Ukrainian capital came under a “massive” Russian missile attack early Thursday (12 February), with explosions heard across the capital according to authorities. The assault unfolded as uncertainty lingers over upcoming U.S.-brokered peace talks.
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly backed a measure on Wednesday (11 February) disapproving President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, a rare rebuke of the president and leaders of his party in the Republican-majority House.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment