Trump Ends Venezuela Diplomacy, Opens Door to Military Options

Trump Halts Venezuela Diplomacy: Is War on the Horizon?

U.S. officials have revealed that President Donald Trump has terminated diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with Venezuela, opening the door wider to potential military escalation against drug traffickers or the government of Nicolás Maduro.

Talks Halted by Presidential Order

Richard Grenell, the president’s special envoy and acting director of national intelligence, had been leading negotiations with Maduro and other senior Venezuelan officials. But officials said on Monday that Trump called Grenell last Thursday during a meeting with top military leaders and ordered him to halt all diplomatic contact, including negotiations with Maduro.

Trump's Frustration with Maduro

Trump is reportedly frustrated with Maduro's refusal to comply with U.S. demands to relinquish power, as well as the Venezuelan officials' consistent denial of involvement in drug trafficking.

Potential Military Plans

U.S. officials stated that the Trump administration has developed multiple plans for military escalation, including actions that could aim to force Maduro from power. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio has described Maduro as an “illegitimate” leader and repeatedly referenced the U.S. indictment against him on drug trafficking charges.

Bounty on Maduro

Rubio has also described Maduro as a “fugitive wanted by U.S. justice,” and the U.S. has increased the bounty offered for information leading to his arrest to $50 million.

'All American Power' to Stop Drug Trafficking

A White House official stated that Trump is prepared to use “all American power” to stop the flow of drugs into the United States, and that he has clearly communicated to Maduro the demand to end Venezuelan drug trafficking activities.

No Comment

Grenell and a senior Venezuelan official both declined to comment on the developments.

Rubio's Strategy to Oust Maduro

Rubio and his allies within the Trump administration have been pushing for a strategy aimed at forcing Maduro from power. U.S. officials claim that Maduro commands drug trafficking groups operating within Venezuela, but the Venezuelan government has denied these accusations.

Attacks on Ships in International Waters

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently confirmed that the U.S. military again attacked a vessel in international waters near Venezuela last Friday, killing four people. This is the fourth time the U.S. military has launched an attack on ships the government claims are involved in drug trafficking.

Negotiations Accelerated Before Halt

Grenell’s talks with Maduro had been ongoing for months, and their pace accelerated in recent weeks as the U.S. military began attacking drug trafficking ships.

Maduro's Letter to Trump

Last month, Maduro sent a letter to Trump denying that drug trafficking exists in Venezuela and proposing further talks with the U.S. through Grenell.

Grenell's Efforts to Avoid Conflict

Grenell had been seeking to broker a deal to avoid a larger conflict and allow U.S. companies access to the Venezuelan oil market.

Opposition from Rubio and Allies

But according to one insider, Rubio and his allies believe that Grenell’s efforts are unhelpful and have caused confusion.

'Armed Conflict' with Drug Cartels

In a notification to Congress last week, the Trump administration stated that the United States is in a state of formal “armed conflict” with drug cartels. The notification stated that drug cartels are considered terrorist organizations and that members of groups that traffic drugs will be considered “illegal combatants.”

Expanding Military Operations?

Combined with the decision to end diplomatic contact, the notification appears to suggest that the U.S. plans to expand the scope of military operations. Some current and former officials have said that Trump may authorize attacks on drug cartel targets inside Mexico, but it is currently unclear whether the president has made a decision to do so or what type of military plans he would approve.

Fears of a Wider War

The U.S. military claims that its attacks on drug trafficking ships occur in international waters. Supporters within the Trump administration of diplomatic solutions fear that further expanding drug interdiction operations into Venezuela or taking direct action to force Maduro from power could embroil the U.S. in a wider war.

Avoiding Long Wars

Supporters of diplomatic avenues argue that escalating actions against Venezuela into a regime change operation could embroil the U.S. in a long war that Trump has promised to avoid.

Disagreements Between Grenell and Rubio

Additionally, Grenell and Rubio have been at odds over multiple issues during their tenures in the Trump administration, including how to press Maduro to release held American hostages.