The agency describes the course of the less than 15-minute telephone conversation between the two leaders, which took place on November 21. According to sources, Maduro allegedly told Trump that he was ready to leave Venezuela provided he was guaranteed amnesty, the lifting of sanctions and the end of the proceedings in the International Criminal Court against him.
The Venezuelan leader also allegedly demanded the lifting of sanctions imposed on over a hundred people in his government and proposed that his deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, take over the government until new elections are held.
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How much time does Maduro have to leave Venezuela?
What did Trump say about amnesty for Maduro?
What demands did Maduro make during his conversation with Trump?
What actions has Trump announced after the deadline?
Trump reportedly rejected most of the proposals and told Maduro he had a week to leave the country with his family. When that deadline passed on Friday, the president declared the airspace over Venezuela closed the next day. According to previous Wall Street Journal reports on the conversation, Trump also threatened to use force if Maduro did not relinquish power.
The US is considering possible scenarios towards Venezuela
The leaders' conversation took place against the background of constantly increasing US pressure and threats against Venezuela and President Maduro, who is accused by the US prosecutor's office of having links with the Cartel de los Soles drug cartel. In November, it was recognized by the US authorities as a terrorist organization. Last week, the US president announced that the US military would conduct ground attacks against drug traffickers.
On Monday, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Trump was not ruling out either option. She also confirmed reports that there will be a meeting on Venezuela at the White House on Monday with the participation of leading representatives of the administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine.
