WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (Reuters) – United States President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that he spoke with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, but did not provide details about what the two leaders discussed.
‘I don’t want to comment on that. The answer is yes,’ Trump said when asked if he had spoken to Maduro. He was speaking to reporters aboard the presidential plane Air Force One.
The New York Times first reported that Trump had spoken to Maduro this month and discussed a possible meeting between them in the United States.
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The revelation of the phone call comes as Trump continues to use bellicose rhetoric toward Venezuela while also considering the possibility of diplomacy.
On Saturday, Trump said the airspace above and around Venezuela should be considered ‘closed in its entirety’ but gave no further details, provoking anxiety and confusion in Caracas as his administration increases pressure on Maduro’s government.
When asked if his comments about airspace meant attacks against Venezuela were imminent, Trump said: ‘Don’t draw any conclusions about that.’
The Trump administration is weighing options related to Venezuela to combat what it has portrayed as Maduro’s role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans. The Venezuelan president denied having any connection with the illegal drug trade.
Reuters reported that options being considered by the US include an attempt to overthrow Maduro, and that the US military is prepared for a new phase of operations following a massive military buildup in the Caribbean and nearly three months of attacks on suspected drug trafficking boats off the coast of Venezuela. Trump also authorized covert CIA operations in the country.
Maduro and senior members of his government did not comment on the call. Asked about the matter on Sunday, Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, said the call was not the topic of his news conference, in which he announced an investigation by lawmakers into U.S. attacks on boats in the Caribbean.
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(Reporting the Idree Ali, Jeff Mason, Pete Schroder e Steve Holland)
