It is alleged that ex-President Donald Trump issued a blunt ultimatum to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro: relinquish the presidency – and depart the country – at once.
As stated in reports, the American president supposedly held a telephone conversation with his Venezuelan opposite number, who is the focus of a months-long diplomatic offensive that has featured a substantial naval deployment off Venezuela's northern coast.
"You can protect yourself and your inner circle, but you have to leave the country now," Trump allegedly stated, offering guaranteed security for Maduro, his wife and his son "conditional on he consented to resign right away."
Nevertheless, the Venezuelan leader reportedly declined to resign immediately and reportedly presented a list of counter-demands, such as international legal immunity and being allowed to give up political control while retaining control of the armed forces.
This development constitutes the most recent escalation of tensions between the Washington and Caracas. Earlier this week, Trump reportedly convened with his top security officials to discuss the Venezuelan crisis, though details of that discussion have not been made public.
When questioned about the call, Trump was quoted as stating, "I wouldn't say it was successful or badly, it was a phone call." Not one of the U.S. nor Venezuelan governments have offered more information about the matters talked about during the remarkable dialogue, which is believed to have happened in late November.