White House Declined Maduro‘s Proposed Two-Year Exit Plan
WASHINGTON – The White House rejected a recent offer from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to step down within two years, according to sources familiar with ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Venezuelan governments. The proposal, conveyed through intermediaries, sought to establish a timeline for a negotiated transition of power, but was deemed insufficient by the Biden management, which continues to demand immediate and verifiable steps toward free and fair elections.
The rejection comes amid heightened U.S. military activity in the Caribbean and internal White House debate over the future course of action regarding Venezuela. Sence August, the Southern Command has led a military campaign near the Venezuelan coast, and recent conversations in the White House with Pentagon authorities have focused on options for continuing thes actions. The New York Times reports potential future actions coudl prioritize covert operations, psychological strategies, cyber warfare, and details operations over direct ground combat.
The U.S. has carried out at least 21 attacks against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and the Pacific since August, destroying 22 boats and resulting in an estimated death toll of more than 80 people, according to the Southern Command.
President trump publicly stated last week, while on the presidential plane, that he would be “willing to talk” with Maduro, after previously indicating he had already made a decision regarding Venezuela but declined to elaborate. Concurrently, the Pentagon launched Operation ‘Spear of the South,’ deploying the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford,several warships,and approximately 12,000 military personnel to the Caribbean.
Officials close to the White House have indicated the CIA possesses intelligence regarding facilities in Venezuela allegedly linked to drug trafficking that could be targeted under a presidential order.
