US-Venezuela Tensions: Talks Stall Over Maduro’s Demands

A source told the media that “the first reason for the stalled talks is that Maduro requested a full and comprehensive pardon, which was rejected.” The second obstacle was that “he wanted to maintain control over the armed forces, which was not agreed upon.” An American newspaper reported, citing informed sources, that the US President threatened during a phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last week to use force if the Venezuelan president did not step down voluntarily. The sources said that “the discussion took place late last week and was attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.” Earlier, Trump called for the airspace over and around Venezuela to be considered closed. The United States justifies its military presence in the Caribbean region with its efforts to combat drug trafficking. In September and October, its armed forces repeatedly used force to destroy boats allegedly carrying drugs off the coast of Venezuela. NBC reported earlier that options are being explored to target drug traffickers within the Bolivarian Republic.