US may have discussions with Maduro as aircraft carrier arrives in Caribbean, Trump says
Source: AP
Updated 10:41 PM EST, November 16, 2025
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday the U.S. “may be having some discussions” with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a potential diplomatic avenue as the U.S. further builds up its military presence near the South American country with the arrival of its most advanced aircraft carrier.
Trump didn’t offer details about the possible discussions with Maduro, but he said “Venezuela would like to talk.”
The U.S. military has been carrying out a series of strikes against vessels suspected of transporting drugs. The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford and other warships, announced by the Navy in a statement, marks a major moment in what the administration insists is a counterdrug operation but has been seen as an escalating pressure tactic against Maduro.
When asked Sunday what he meant when he said Maduro wants to talk, Trump simply said: “What does it mean? You tell me, I don’t know.” “I’ll talk to anybody,” he added a few moments later. “We’ll see what happens.”
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-carrier-venezuela-trump-ford-strikes-drugs-241ea9e039d717b9f80f793922cb7cc9
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Right now, the U.S. is the largest crude oil producer in the world (thanks to all the fracking).
There is already a growing glut that will suppress the prices (maybe good for the consumer if enough refineries are operating to refine it), but bad for the producers if the price/bbl goes below their "breakeven".
E.g., -
(Mar. 27, 2024)
(from here - https://www.dallasfed.org/research/surveys/des/2024/2401 - was looking if they had a similar survey question this year but haven't found any yet)
This is why after 45's administration offered up all those new leases this year, very few have responded to take advantage.
YTD, it has ranged from ~$55/bbl - $80/bbl. Its running around $60/bbl for the past couple months.
Maybe a couple of free rail hoppers of coal would do it!
