USA offers Maduro an opportunity to escape – head of state remains in Caracas

Phone call confirmed

Trump makes Maduro an offer – he should leave immediately

The USA offers Maduro a safe exit. Meanwhile, the head of state, who had been absent for days, suddenly reappears in Caracas and hands out awards for coffee varieties.

Amid escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela, Washington has offered Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro the opportunity to leave the country, according to a US senator. At the same time, the head of state, who had been in hiding for days, appeared in public again for the first time – and thereby confirmed that he was still in Caracas.

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin told CNN on Sunday that Washington had given Maduro “the opportunity to leave.” The president was offered the opportunity to travel “to Russia or another country.” Mullin did not comment on the conditions – but he emphasized that they were “crucial”. US President Donald Trump declared Venezuelan airspace “closed” on Saturday and again threatened to take tougher action against suspected drug traffickers.

Maduro had not appeared in public for several days. The president usually appears on state television several times a week – his silence since Wednesday had fueled speculation in Venezuela that he might have fled.

On Sunday he appeared at an awards ceremony for specialty coffee in the east of Caracas. Online videos showed him presenting medals to coffee producers, tasting different varieties and giving short speeches. He did not directly mention the current crisis.

He concluded by shouting, “Venezuela is indestructible, untouchable, unbeatable,” while speaking about the country’s economic situation. US President Trump confirmed on Sunday that he had spoken to Maduro on the telephone in recent days. “It was a phone call,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. He didn’t want to comment on whether it went well or badly.

The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal reported that the conversation took place earlier this month. This was about possible demands from Venezuela for a general amnesty for Maduro, high-ranking members of the government and their families. Many of them are the focus of US sanctions or face criminal charges.

Caracas remains silent about the phone call: Neither Maduro nor members of his government commented on it on Sunday. Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly, also dodged questions about this – he instead announced an investigation into recent US naval operations in which more than 80 suspected drug smugglers are said to have been killed.

The US government has built up a massive military presence in the Caribbean in recent weeks. According to Trump, the measures are intended to combat drug trafficking. Trump recently stated that the USA could soon expand its operations “on land”. However, he denied an imminent air strike on Sunday: His advice to airlines to avoid Venezuelan airspace was “not intended as a signal” for an attack.