US President Donald Trump has decided to terminate diplomatic negotiations with Venezuela and instructed his special envoy Richard Grenell to cease all communication efforts, as per a high-ranking US official on Monday.
This development, initially disclosed by the New York Times, comes in the wake of several military operations targeting drug-carrying vessels near Venezuela. Trump informed Congress of the US involvement in what he termed as “a non-international armed conflict” against drug cartels.
While contemplating potential actions within Venezuela, Trump has not yet finalized a decision on progressing the military operation to a subsequent phase, according to a statement from a US official to Reuters.
During a meeting in the Oval Office last Thursday with senior military officials, Trump conveyed this directive to Grenell, the senior official confirmed.
Addressing US service members on Sunday, Trump announced that US operations targeting vessels along the Venezuelan coast had disrupted drug trafficking via sea and hinted at the need to consider land operations. The White House did not provide further specifics on this matter.
Tensions between Washington and Caracas have escalated since Trump’s return to the White House in January, with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro refuting US accusations of drug production in the country and alleging US intentions to oust him from power.
Trump has downplayed the likelihood of a regime change in Venezuela, emphasizing a different approach to the situation.
In August, the US doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture to $50 million, citing his alleged ties to drug trafficking and criminal organizations, which Maduro has vehemently denied.