In a move that has raised many questions in international political circles, former US President Donald Trump confirmed that he had a phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This call came at the height of tensions between Washington and Caracas, with Maduro accusing the US administration of using anti-drug trafficking operations as a pretext to deploy military forces in the Caribbean with the aim of overthrowing his government. When asked about the details of the conversation, which was first revealed by The New York Times, Trump offered only a vague comment: “I can’t say whether it went well or badly. It was a phone call.”.
Tense context and historical background
This call was not an isolated incident, but rather part of the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Venezuela. Since 2019, the United States has refused to recognize Maduro as president following what it deemed a fraudulent presidential election, instead recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s interim president. Washington has imposed a series of crippling economic sanctions on Venezuela, targeting its vital oil sector and government officials, with the aim of paralyzing the Maduro regime and forcing him to step down.
Escalation in the Caribbean and regional reactions
This contact coincided with a significant escalation: Trump's declaration that Venezuelan airspace should be considered "completely closed," which also coincided with an increased US military presence in the Caribbean. This declaration provoked angry reactions, with the Caracas government describing it as a "colonial threat" that directly infringed upon the country's sovereignty. Regionally, then-Colombian President Gustavo Petro strongly criticized this stance, questioning the legal basis that allows a head of state to close the airspace of another sovereign nation. Without mentioning Trump by name, Petro stated, "I would like to know under what rule of international law a head of state can close the airspace of another country?" This reflects the concerns of neighboring countries about the repercussions of any potential military intervention.
Importance and potential impacts
The significance of this call lies in the fact that it established a rare and direct channel of communication between two bitter rivals. Domestically in Venezuela, the Maduro regime may have used it to demonstrate its ability to engage with Washington despite the declared hostility, while it raised concerns among the opposition about the possibility of a deal being struck that bypassed them. Internationally, the call highlighted the unconventional nature of Trump's diplomacy, which favored direct communication even with adversaries. Although the call yielded no tangible results, it remains an enigmatic chapter in the history of strained US-Venezuelan relations, and a reminder that back channels of communication can remain open even during the most intense periods of hostility.
