The conditions Maduro set a month ago to leave Venezuela: Trump made a counteroffer
The Venezuelan was reportedly willing to leave the country, but he asked for a pardon and an interim government led by Rodríguez.
Nicolás Maduro was willing to leave Venezuela before being captured by the United States on Saturday. However, he set a series of conditions that Donald Trump rejected. Just over a month later, that refusal led to the operation that has resulted in the Chavista president being imprisoned in New York, where he now awaits trial on charges including narcoterrorism.
The key moment came during a phone call between Trump and Maduro on 21 November. Reuters reported the conversation, citing three sources, and stated that the US president rejected the Venezuelan leader’s demands.
Maduro set out four conditions for leaving the country:
- A full pardon for himself and his entire family.
- The dismissal of the case opened against him at the International Criminal Court.
- The lifting of sanctions against Venezuelan officials accused by the United States of human rights abuses, drug trafficking, or corruption.
- The establishment of an interim government led by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez before new elections were called.
Trump’s counteroffer and ultimatum
Donald Trump rejected most of Maduro’s requests and instead proposed that he leave Venezuela with his family for a destination of his choosing before Friday, 28 November.
When his demands were not met, Maduro rejected Trump’s ultimatum, remained in Venezuela, and pledged “absolute loyalty” to the Venezuelan people.
Meanwhile, the United States maintained its $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, as well as a $25 million reward for other senior officials, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, whom Washington accuses of drug trafficking.
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But even as those talks took place, Trump was preparing an operation against Caracas, one that ultimately ended with President Nicolás Maduro behind bars.
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