WASHINGTON – Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a phone call on February 28, 2024, demanding his departure from office, according to sources familiar with the conversation. The ultimatum substantially escalates tensions between Washington and Caracas, reviving a hardline U.S. stance toward Venezuela after a period of cautiously easing sanctions.
The direct demand for Maduro’s removal represents a sharp departure from the Biden management’s strategy of engaging with the Maduro regime through negotiations aimed at securing free and fair elections. The call, initiated by Trump, underscores the potential for a dramatic shift in U.S. policy should he win the November 2024 presidential election. The situation impacts not only the political future of Venezuela, currently grappling with a severe humanitarian and economic crisis, but also regional stability and U.S. energy security interests. A return to maximum pressure could further destabilize the country, potentially triggering a larger refugee crisis and disrupting oil supplies.
Sources indicated Trump conveyed to Maduro that his continued rule was unacceptable and urged him to leave the country immediately. While the exact phrasing was blunt, the message was unequivocal: the former president does not foresee a path for Maduro to remain in power. the call occurred amidst ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Venezuela regarding potential oil investments in exchange for democratic concessions.
The Biden administration has cautiously lifted some sanctions on Venezuela in recent months, seeking to encourage Maduro to allow opposition candidates to participate in the 2024 presidential elections.However, concerns remain about the fairness of the electoral process and the Maduro government’s crackdown on dissent. The Trump administration previously imposed crippling sanctions on Venezuela, aiming to oust Maduro and restore democracy, a policy that exacerbated the country’s economic woes. The renewed threat of a return to those policies raises questions about the future of U.S.-Venezuela relations and the fate of ongoing negotiations.