Trump Halts Diplomatic Contact with Venezuela, Escalates Tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a complete halt to diplomatic contacts with Nicolás Maduro’s government, marking a new escalation in Washington’s confrontation with Venezuela, reports 24brussels.

The directive, issued last Thursday, coincides with rising military tensions between Washington and Caracas. “We’ll see what phase two looks like,” Trump told reporters on Sunday, suggesting a potential expansion of U.S. operations beyond the Caribbean. During a Navy anniversary ceremony the same day, he hinted at the possibility of a land offensive “against the cartels and their allies.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Friday that U.S. forces conducted another extrajudicial strike off the Venezuelan coast, resulting in the deaths of four individuals aboard a boat allegedly connected to drug trafficking. “They were narcoterrorists,” Hegseth stated, although he did not provide evidence to support this claim.

In recent weeks, Washington has executed at least four similar attacks, with no disclosures regarding the identities of those on the targeted vessels or the nature of their cargo. U.S. media reports estimate that these operations have led to at least 21 fatalities, which the White House defends as part of a self-declared “war on drug trafficking” emanating from Venezuela.

Trump regards Maduro as the leader of both the Tren de Aragua and the Cartel of the Suns, organizations designated by the State Department as “designated terrorist groups.” In August, the Department of Justice doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture to $50 million. The Venezuelan president is wanted in New York on charges of drug trafficking conspiracy.

According to U.S. military sources cited by The New York Times, the Trump administration has developed several contingency plans to escalate pressure on Maduro, including moves aimed at ousting him from power. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a significant proponent of Trump’s hardline approach, has called Maduro an “illegitimate leader” and a “fugitive from justice.”

Richard Grenell, who took office in January with an emphasis on a return to diplomacy, has now received orders to cease all outreach to the Chavista regime. Trump’s latest directive effectively shuts down the diplomatic channel between Washington and Caracas.