Trump Hints at Possible Talks with Maduro, States "Things Can Be Done the Easy Way or the Hard Way"

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that he might consider engaging in dialogue with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, even though his administration has previously accused Maduro of leading a terrorist organization.

As reported by EFE, President Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, remarked, "I could talk to him, we'll see," when asked by journalists about the possibility of discussions with Maduro.

Trump acknowledged Maduro as "the leader" and expressed a willingness to "save lives," stating, "If we can do it the easy way, that's great, and if we have to do it the hard way, that's fine too."

These comments come amid heightened tensions in the Caribbean, highlighted by the U.S. naval and aerial deployments off the Venezuelan coast, purportedly aimed at curbing drug trafficking.

The Caracas government has condemned this operation as a "provocation" intended to incite a "regime change."

Flight tracking platforms have recently reported sightings of U.S. military aircraft, including B-52 bombers and F/A-18 fighter jets, over the Caribbean Sea, between Venezuela and Curaçao.

In recent weeks, Trump has held discussions with the Pentagon to consider "action options" concerning Venezuela, following an increase in military efforts in international waters against vessels linked to drug trafficking.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Nicolás Maduro claimed from Caracas that Venezuela is experiencing a "decisive juncture for its existence" and emphasized that failure in the face of alleged U.S. threats is not an option.

Maduro vowed to defend the nation "even with life itself" and called on military and government officials to "multiply efforts tenfold" in response to the American presence in the Caribbean.