U.S. President Donald Trump says Venezuela rejected a U.S. proposal of preferential access to natural resources and vows military action, as Caracas deploys troops and calls for volunteer militias.
Trump Blames Venezuela for Rejecting U.S. Offer
In the media, reports emerged that Venezuela approached the United States with a proposal offering preferential access to its natural resources in exchange for easing tensions. Asked about this, Donald Trump told reporters that Nicolás Maduro “offered everything.” “Do you know why? Because they don’t want to leave it to the USA,” the U.S. president said.
Escalation of Tensions: Venezuela Repositions Army
Facing rising regional tensions, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ordered the relocation of troops and announced the formation of volunteer militias. Maduro states that the militias consist of over 8 million reservists, a figure and training quality disputed by experts. He portrays the move as a response to what he calls a “flurry” by Trump and the United States. The president is considering expanding U.S. forces in the Caribbean and potentially deploying B‑52 bombers to the country’s coast.
Trump Aims to Oust Maduro; “We Have the Sea Under Control”
In recent weeks, U.S. forces have repositioned warships to the region and targeted vessels off the Venezuelan coast that they claim are transporting drugs. Trump admitted authorizing CIA covert operations in Venezuela and said the U.S. considers attacks on its territory. “Now we look to land, because we have the sea under control,” he said. White House officials say Trump is running a pressure campaign to remove Maduro. In 2019, the United States recognized Juan Guaidó, not Nicolás Maduro, as Venezuela’s legitimate president.
