US may have discussions with Maduro as aircraft carrier arrives in Caribbean, Trump says [View all]

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