Staff Reporter

U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly delivered a “blunt” ultimatum to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a rare, high-stakes phone call in the week of November 16, as he ordered him to immediately step down or face the consequences of the U.S. pressure campaign.

Maduro, however, rejected the demand and instead sought global amnesty and control of the armed forces, effectively stalling the negotiations.

The highly unusual conversation, which Trump confirmed yesterday, is said to have been brokered by Brazil, Qatar, and Turkey.

“I wouldn’t say it went well or badly, it was a phone call,” Trump told reporters, declining to offer further details on the unprecedented exchange.

Sources state the core of Trump’s message was a demand for Maduro’s immediate resignation in exchange for safe passage out of the country for himself, his wife, and his son.

“You can save yourself and those closest to you, but you must leave the country now.” Trump told Maduro.

Maduro, whose government views the U.S. naval deployment in the Caribbean as an attempt to seize the nation’s vast oil reserves, reportedly refused to step down immediately.

Instead, he presented two counter-demands, worldwide immunity from prosecution for himself and his top allies.

The right to retain control of Venezuela’s armed forces, even if he were to cede political control.

Washington reportedly dismissed both proposals, leading to the collapse of the discussion. The two leaders have had no further direct contact, with Maduro’s request for a second call after Trump’s recent airspace closed declaration reportedly going unanswered.

The ultimatum comes amid a four-month campaign by the Trump administration that has seen the largest U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean in decades, including the presence of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group and other warships.

The U.S. maintains the operation is focused on counter-narcotics, although the assembled firepower has led many observers to speculate about the threat of military intervention.

On Saturday, Trump further heightened tensions by declaring Venezuelan airspace “closed in its entirety,” a statement the Venezuelan government forcefully rejected as a colonial threat intended to undermine the nation’s sovereignty.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has offered to host talks between the Maduro regime and the Venezuelan opposition in Cartagena in an attempt to find a peaceful, negotiated solution.