Maduro of Venezuela given Ultimatum by Donald Trump

Trump Dials up Pressure on Maduro

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro confirmed he had a “respectful and cordial” phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump about 10 days earlier and said the exchange could open the door to diplomacy between the two countries. Reuters had reported Maduro told Trump he would be willing to leave Venezuela with full legal amnesty for himself and family, including lifting U.S. sanctions and resolving an ICC case. The call comes amid heightened U.S. pressure on Venezuela, including strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats and designating Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization.

Key points

• Maduro described the call with Trump as respectful and potentially a start to diplomatic dialogue.
• Reuters sources said Maduro offered to leave Venezuela if granted full legal amnesty, removal of sanctions, and resolution of an ICC case.
• The conversation follows months of intensified U.S. pressure and actions targeting Venezuela and alleged drug-trafficking networks.

Maduro’s Request Rejected by Trump

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reportedly offered to leave the country with U.S.-guaranteed safe passage during a short November 21 call with U.S. President Donald Trump, conditional on broad amnesties, removal of sanctions (including an ICC case) and allowing Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to run an interim government until new elections. Trump rejected the requests, the safe-passage offer lapsed, and the U.S. has since tightened pressure on Maduro—closing Venezuelan airspace to U.S. travel, increasing rewards for information leading to arrests, and continuing sanctions and other actions. Maduro’s government has denied criminal allegations and seeks another call.

Key points

• November 21 phone call lasted under 15 minutes; Trump told Maduro to leave within a week; the proposed safe-passage window has expired.
• Maduro sought full legal amnesty for himself and family, removal of sanctions (and resolution of an ICC-related case), and sanctions relief for about 100 officials.
• He proposed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez head an interim government pending new elections.
• Trump rejected Maduro’s requests; U.S. has increased pressure: airspace closure, strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats, designation threats against “Cartel de los Soles,” and raised rewards for Maduro and top officials.
• Maduro’s government maintains it is being targeted for regime change to seize Venezuela’s resources; it has requested another call with Trump.

US Actions Not about Venezeulian Oil

U.S. actions and military pressure on Venezuela in late 2025 are unlikely driven primarily by Caracas’s vast oil reserves. While Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, its heavy, high-sulfur crude is costly and technically difficult to produce and refine. Analysts and former Venezuelan oil officials say political motives—pushing back against Maduro’s socialist regime, regional influence (including pressure on Cuba), and broader Trump administration priorities—better explain the U.S. posture than a straight grab for oil.

Key points

• Venezuela has about 303 billion barrels in reserves but produces under 1% of global oil due to resource quality and investment shortfalls.
• Orinoco Belt oil is heavy, sulfur-rich “extra-heavy” crude that requires mining and specialized refining; U.S. refineries able to process it exist but exploiting it needs massive long-term investment.
• S. already is the world’s largest oil producer (~14 mb/d), reducing incentive for a military intervention solely to secure Venezuelan oil.
• Officials and analysts emphasize political and ideological aims (rolling back socialist influence, pressuring Cuba, domestic political messaging) as primary drivers of U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
• Even absent military action, rebuilding Venezuela’s oil sector would require billions of dollars and years of credible governance and investment, not an immediate windfall.