Trump gave Maduro one week to leave Venezuela and closed country's airspace, - Reuters
Photo: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump, in a phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, gave him a deadline of November 28 to safely leave the country. The following day, Trump announced the closure of Venezuela’s airspace, according to Reuters.
The phone call between Trump and Maduro took place on November 21.
According to Reuters, which cited three sources, Maduro told Trump he was prepared to leave Venezuela on the condition of full amnesty for himself and his family members, including the lifting of all US sanctions.
He also demanded the removal of sanctions from more than 100 Venezuelan officials, many of whom the United States accuses of human rights abuses, drug trafficking, or corruption, the sources said.
Trump rejected most of his requests during the call, which lasted less than 15 minutes, but told Maduro he had one week to leave Venezuela and travel to any destination of his choice, together with his family members.
This safe passage expired on Friday, November 28, prompting Trump to announce the closure of Venezuelan airspace on Saturday, the Reuters sources reported.
Trump's consultations with advisers regarding Maduro
According to a senior US official cited by reporters, on Monday, December 1, Trump was expected to meet with his advisers to discuss, among other issues, methods of pressuring Venezuela.
A Washington-based source familiar with internal discussions in the Trump administration did not rule out the possibility of Maduro stepping down through negotiations, but emphasized that significant differences remain and key details are still unresolved.
Likelihood of Nicolás Maduro's resignation
A month ago, media outlets began writing that the United States was planning to conduct a ground operation in Venezuela to overthrow Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
Trump himself insisted he had no intention of launching strikes on Venezuela or conducting a ground operation.
However, on November 30, CNN, citing sources, reported that Maduro was allegedly willing to resign, though not immediately, but only after 18 months.
The outlet noted that such a scenario is unacceptable to the White House; Washington wants his immediate departure.
Since returning to power in 2025, US President Trump has stated that one of his priorities is fighting drug trafficking, including fentanyl. He has labeled Venezuela’s dictator Nicolás Maduro as the primary "drug kingpin."
