Donald Trump talked to Maduro. Possible meeting of leaders

US President Donald Trump had a telephone conversation with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro last week. A potential meeting was discussed, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing sources. The US administration is also increasing military pressure on Venezuela.

During the conversation, a potential meeting of leaders in the US was discussed, but no specific plans were made, we read. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also expected to participate in the conversation.

As we read, the conversation took place at the end of the week, a few days before the decision of the US Department of State to recognize the Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) as a terrorist organization came into force.

According to the authorities in Washington, its members include: high-ranking officials of the Venezuelan government, and the group is to be headed by the country's leader, Maduro. Caracas categorically denies these allegations and claims that the accusations of involvement in drug trafficking are a pretext for a violent change of power in Venezuela and taking control of Venezuelan oil deposits.

Last Friday, Trump said he would talk to the Venezuelan leader soon and tell him “something very specific.” He declined to provide details, but added that the U.S. would be “very engaged” in Venezuela.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that the administration views the Maduro regime as illegitimate and announced a few days ago that US forces would continue to carry out attacks on boats suspected of transporting drugs to the US. In total, more than 80 people have died in boat attacks since the beginning of September.

From Washington Natalia Dziurdzińska (PAP)

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