White House Responds to Maduro’s Request for Talk with Trump
According to the English section of webangah news Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and france 24, the White House refused Maduro’s alleged request for dialogue with U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve disputes and reduce tensions between Caracas and washington.
France 24 reports that the White House’s rejection comes as two Venezuelan opposition leaders have expressed support for increasing U.S. military presence near Caracas’ coast.
Justifying his move as part of a campaign against drug cartels, Trump has deployed eight warships and a submarine to the southern Caribbean-a step that has raised concerns about potential preparations for a military attack on Venezuela.
In recent weeks, U.S. forces have seized and destroyed at least three Venezuelan fishing boats suspected of drug trafficking, killing more than ten people in the process.
Earlier this week, media outlets claimed the Venezuelan government released a letter from Maduro addressed to Trump. The letter reportedly strongly denied U.S. allegations accusing him of leading a drug cartel, labeling them “entirely unfounded,” while urging Trump to “preserve peace.”
White House spokesperson Caroline lewitt responded by calling Maduro’s letter “full of lies” and reiterated that the Trump governance’s stance on Venezuela remains unchanged, continuing to regard Maduro’s government as “illegitimate.”
The deployment marks the largest U.S. military presence in the Caribbean region in recent years.
Maduro has accused Trump-who failed during his first presidential term to hasten Maduro’s ouster-of attempting regime change in Caracas.
Last week, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino accused Washington of waging an “undeclared war” against Caracas. He also asserted that crews on boats accused by Washington of carrying drugs were executed without any right to self-defense.
Thousands of Venezuelans have mobilized as paramilitary forces following Maduro’s call to strengthen their national army.
