Recent reports from Reuters and the Miami Herald reveal that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro sought complete amnesty for himself and his family, as well as the lifting of international sanctions, in exchange for stepping down and allowing a transition led by his Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez.
The phone call, which took place on November 21 and lasted less than 15 minutes, marked the first direct communication between Maduro and Donald Trump since the Republican's return to the White House.
According to sources, the Venezuelan leader proposed a deal with three main conditions:
- Judicial immunity for himself, his wife Cilia Flores, and their children.
- Termination of the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings for crimes against humanity.
- Removal of sanctions against more than a hundred high-ranking Chavista officials, including those accused of drug trafficking and corruption in the United States.
As part of the proposal, Maduro suggested that Delcy Rodríguez assume an "interim government" role to organize internationally supervised elections. This arrangement would allow Chavismo to retain control over the state apparatus and military during the transition period.
Sources consulted by Reuters indicate that Trump rejected nearly all the conditions. The only proposal Washington agreed to consider was a limited safe passage for Maduro to leave Venezuela with his family within 72 hours.
The deadline expired on Friday, November 29, without a response from Caracas. The following day, Trump ordered a complete closure of Venezuelan airspace, interpreted by analysts as the end of the diplomatic ultimatum.
Failed Negotiation Amid Military Pressure
The call occurred against a backdrop of increasing international pressure. Days earlier, the State Department had designated the Cartel of the Suns—a network allegedly linked to the Venezuelan regime—as a foreign terrorist organization, expanding the Pentagon's authority to act militarily without requiring Congressional approval.
Since September, the United States has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, a nuclear submarine, destroyers, and F-35 fighters in the Caribbean as part of Operation Southern Lance. In this context, U.S. forces have destroyed over 20 vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, resulting in more than 80 fatalities.
According to the Miami Herald, the call aimed to avoid a direct confrontation by offering Maduro a negotiated exit. However, the U.S. demand for an immediate resignation and power transfer to an opposition civil authority halted the dialogue.
Caracas' Reaction and Washington's Calculation
Following the breakdown, sources cited by Reuters claim the regime attempted to reopen communication channels, but the White House did not respond. A U.S. official told the outlet that a negotiated exit is "not off the table," though it would require significant changes in Caracas' stance.
In a televised appearance on Monday, Maduro denied seeking amnesty and accused the United States of pursuing a "regime change to seize Venezuelan natural resources."
Meanwhile, Trump convened a National Security Council meeting at the White House to consider "new pressure measures" on Caracas, amid reports of U.S. military air activity over the Caribbean.
The revelations mark the most critical moment of the hemispheric crisis since the airspace closure announcement. With Argentina demanding Maduro and Cabello's international arrest at the ICC and Cuba denouncing "imperialist aggression," the region stands on the verge of an unprecedented diplomatic reconfiguration, where Chavismo's survival hangs by a thin line between negotiation and collapse.
Key Questions on the Venezuela Crisis
What were Nicolás Maduro's main demands in the phone call with Donald Trump?
Maduro demanded total amnesty for himself and his family, the lifting of international sanctions, and immunity from the International Criminal Court proceedings.
What was the United States' response to Maduro's proposals?
The U.S. rejected nearly all of Maduro's conditions, only considering a limited safe passage for him and his family to leave Venezuela within 72 hours.
How did the Venezuelan regime react after the call with Trump?
Following the call, the regime attempted to reopen communication channels, but the U.S. did not respond, maintaining its pressure on Caracas.