Frictions with Venezuela Rise In the Wake of Reported Ultimatum from President Trump to Nicolás Maduro.

Reports suggest that ex-President Donald Trump conveyed a unambiguous ultimatum to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro: leave the presidency – and flee the nation – at once.

Per accounts, the American president allegedly conducted a telephone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart, who is the focus of a prolonged pressure campaign that has featured a substantial naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast.

"You can protect yourself and your family, but you need to depart from the country now," the U.S. president allegedly declared, promising guaranteed security for Maduro, his wife and his son "conditional on he consented to step down right away."

Nevertheless, the Venezuelan leader allegedly declined to resign on the spot and is said to have made a set of counter-demands, including global immunity from prosecution and the right to cede civilian authority while maintaining command of the military.

New Increase in Long-Running Bilateral Tensions

This development marks the most recent increase of frictions between the Washington and Caracas. Recently, Trump allegedly held talks with his senior security officials to deliberate on the Venezuela crisis, though details of that meeting have not been made public.

Salient Points from the Alleged Exchange

• Demand: Immediate departure from power and departure from the country for Maduro and his immediate family.
• Alleged Rejection: Maduro supposedly turned down the conditions for a fast exit.
• Conditions: Reportedly requested global amnesty and continued authority over the army.
• Wider Situation: This takes place amid a broader American pressure campaign aimed at removing the Venezuelan regime.

When questioned about the call, Trump was quoted as remarking, "I wouldn't say it went well or poorly, it was a telephone conversation." Not one of the U.S. nor Venezuelan administrations have released additional particulars about the matters talked about during the remarkable dialogue, which reportedly taken place in late November.