(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump has escalated pressure on Venezuela as the U.S. military conducts joint exercises with Trinidad and Tobago this week, just off the Venezuelan coast.
Despite growing U.S. pressure in the Caribbean, Trump said Sunday he could pursue a more diplomatic approach and was open to talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
He didn’t offer specifics, but said, “Venezuela would like to talk.”
When asked what he meant when he said Maduro wants to talk, Trump responded, “What does it mean? You tell me, I don’t know.”
“I’ll talk to anybody,” he added a few moments later. “We’ll see what happens.”
Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro slams US military drills
Maduro rallied supporters over the weekend, slamming the U.S. military training exercises taking place less than 10 miles from Venezuelan territory and urging Washington to push for peace.
The State Department has accused Maduro of leading drug-trafficking cartels, while Maduro argues the U.S. is “fabricating” a war against him.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. plans to designate Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. Rubio says the group is run by Maduro, whose government the U.S. has called “illegitimate.”
Maduro deployed hundreds of thousands of troops after the USS Gerald R. Ford arrived in the Caribbean last week.
Retired Lt. Gen. Richard Newton suggests that the ship’s arrival, which is the world’s largest aircraft carrier, may push Maduro toward the negotiating table in the coming days.
Trump signals decision on Venezuela coming soon
The discussion of potential talks comes days after Trump told reporters he has made up his mind about whether to authorize land strikes on Venezuela.
He also said the U.S. has made progress in stopping drugs from entering the country from Venezuela.
3 killed in US strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boat
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Sunday that U.S. forces carried out a 21st strike on a suspected Venezuelan drug boat as part of “Operation Southern Spear.”
U.S. Southern Command reported three people were killed in the Eastern Pacific, bringing the total number of fatalities to 83.
Roughly 12,000 U.S. Navy sailors and Marines are currently stationed in the Caribbean, alongside the world’s largest aircraft carrier, multiple warships and a nuclear submarine.