Trump says US may hold talks with Maduro as military buildup reaches 12 warships off Venezuela coast

President Trump told reporters in 🌴Florida on Nov. 17, 2025, that the U.S. may hold talks with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump said "We may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we'll see how that turns out. They would like to talk." When pressed for details, Trump added "Venezuela would like to talk. What does it mean? You tell me, I don't know... I'd talk to anybody." The comments marked a potential diplomatic opening amid escalating military pressure.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, America's most advanced aircraft carrier, joined approximately a dozen other U.S. warships off Venezuela's coast in mid-Nov. 2025. The naval deployment represents the largest U.S. military buildup near Venezuela in decades. The administration has also conducted strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. On Nov. 16, Trump said he'd made up his mind about potential military action but declined to specify his decision.

The State Department announced on Nov. 17, 2025, that the U.S. will designate "Cartel de los Soles" (Cartel of the Suns) as a foreign terrorist organization. The administration claims Maduro leads this cartel, which allegedly facilitates drug trafficking into the United States. The designation allows the U.S. to impose additional sanctions and penalties on anyone providing material support to the organization. Venezuela's government denies the allegations.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded on Nov. 18, 2025, during his television program, saying he's open to direct talks. Maduro said in Spanish "Those who want to speak with Venezuela will speak," then added in English "Face-to-face." He called for diplomacy instead of confrontation and stated "Venezuela's position is unwavering: Absolute respect for international law. We firmly reject the threat or use of force."

The Trump administration has mobilized approximately 200,000 U.S. military personnel in the region as part of what it calls counter-narcotics operations. This includes deploying 🌴California National Guard to 🌲Oregon and 🤠Texas National Guard to 🌽Illinois, though court challenges have stalled some deployments. The administration accuses Maduro's government of being the hub of an international drug trafficking operation.

Many countries dismissed Maduro's Jul. 2024 re-election as rigged, refusing to recognize the results. The U.S. recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's legitimate president, though Guaidó's influence has waned. Venezuela faces severe economic crisis with hyperinflation, food shortages, and mass migration. Over 7 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015.

Trump said Sunday he won't rule out sending troops into Venezuela. The suggestion of talks represents a shift from the administration's earlier rhetoric focused solely on military pressure. Defense officials have privately expressed concern that a military intervention would require significant resources and could destabilize the region. Venezuela maintains military ties with Russia, China, Cuba, and Iran, complicating any potential U.S. action.