US President Donald Trump has delivered a blunt ultimatum to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, urging him to flee the country “immediately” as the United States amasses a significant military presence near Venezuela’s shores.
According to reports, Trump offered Maduro safe passage for himself, his wife and his son if he agreed to resign without delay. The warning came during a call on Friday, coinciding with a series of lethal US drone strikes against suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers that have killed more than 80 people.
The US has deployed at least 11 warships and around 15,000 troops to the region, a force that includes units capable of launching a land invasion. Washington maintains the build-up is aimed at countering so-called “narco-terrorists”, though Caracas insists the true objective is regime change.
Ultimatum Rejected
A source familiar with the call told the Miami Herald that Maduro requested global amnesty, a demand Trump refused. Maduro then proposed retaining control of the Venezuelan armed forces in exchange for free elections, a suggestion Trump also rejected. Maduro ultimately dismissed the idea of stepping down.
Trump confirmed on Sunday that the discussion had taken place, while the Venezuelan government accused the US of preparing for a military attack.
War Crime Allegations Against US Defence Secretary
Separately, the administration faces scrutiny over allegations that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order instructing that all survivors of a 2 September drone strike be killed.
According to the Washington Post, two individuals with knowledge of the operation claim the instruction was to “kill everybody”.
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers expressed concern on Sunday, warning that, if true, such an order could constitute a war crime.
Senator Tim Kaine said the allegation “rises to the level of a war crime”, while Republican Mike Turner described it as “very serious” and “illegal”.
Trump defended Hegseth, saying: “He said he did not say that,” but added that the administration would “look into” the matter.
Hegseth dismissed the claims on X, calling the reporting “fabricated” and insisting that US operations comply fully with US and international law.
Escalating Tensions and Expanding Military Operations
US forces have steadily increased their regional presence since August, beginning with the deployment of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, on 11 November marked a significant escalation. The carrier is accompanied by several vessels, including the USS Thomas Hudner, USS Rampage, and USS Normandy.
The Pentagon has labelled the deployment Operation Southern Spear.
Trump has suggested in recent weeks that operations aimed at halting Venezuelan drug trafficking could soon extend to land targets. In a Thanksgiving call to service members, he said efforts by land would begin “very soon”, adding that it was “easier” to intercept traffickers on land than at sea.
Washington Escalates Pressure on Caracas
Tensions have been further inflamed by the US government’s decision to designate the alleged Maduro-linked Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Maduro as an “illegitimate” president, accusing his government of corruption, drug trafficking and manipulation of Venezuela’s 2024 election results.
However, Venezuelan allies argue that the so-called cartel does not exist as an organised entity, instead describing it as shorthand for longstanding corruption among senior officials.
Venezuela Responds
Maduro, in power since 2013, has sought to reinforce domestic defences, claiming that eight million civilians are training in pro-government militias. However, much of Venezuela’s military equipment dates back to the early 2000s and is considered outdated.
Despite the escalating tensions, Trump has not yet publicly threatened direct military action against Venezuela. But the combination of diplomatic warnings, drone strikes and a substantial naval build-up leaves relations at their most volatile point in years.
