Trump confirms he recently spoke with Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro

"Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that he had spoken with Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, but he did not provide details on what the two leaders discussed. I don't want to comment on it. The answer is yes, the US president said when asked if he had spoken with Maduro. He was speaking to reporters onboard Air Force One. The New York Times first reported Trump had spoken with Maduro earlier this month and discussed a possible meeting between them in the United States."

"The revelation of the phone call comes as Trump continues to use bellicose rhetoric regarding Venezuela, while also entertaining the possibility of diplomacy. On Saturday, Trump said the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered closed in its entirety but gave no further details, stirring anxiety and confusion in Caracas as his administration ramps up pressure on Maduro's government. When asked whether his airspace comments meant strikes against Venezuela were imminent, Trump said: Don't read anything into it."

"The Trump administration has been weighing Venezuela-related options to combat what it has portrayed as Maduro's role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans. The socialist Venezuelan president has denied having any links to the illegal drug trade. Reuters has reported the options under US consideration include an attempt to overthrow Maduro, and that the US military is poised for a new phase of operations after a massive military buildup in the Caribbean."

President Trump acknowledged a phone call with Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro but refused to provide details. The call was previously reported to have included discussion of a possible meeting in the United States. Trump has combined aggressive rhetoric about Venezuela with an openness to diplomatic engagement. He said Venezuela's airspace should be considered closed, creating confusion in Caracas, and cautioned not to read too much into the comment. The administration is weighing options against Maduro over alleged links to illegal drugs, with reports that plans could include overthrow attempts and a new phase of US military operations after a Caribbean buildup. Human rights groups and some allies have raised legal and humanitarian concerns about recent strikes.

Read at www.theguardian.com