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President Donald Trump intends to speak directly with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, even as the United States formally designated him as the leader of a terrorist organization this week, according to administration officials cited by Axios.
The planned conversation marks a significant shift in Trump's approach toward Venezuela and suggests that immediate military intervention may not be forthcoming, despite months of escalating U.S. military presence throughout Latin America. Officials told Axios that Trump's decision to pursue direct dialogue could indicate that missile strikes or ground operations are not under active consideration.
One administration official familiar with the discussions characterized the current stance bluntly, saying they are not planning to "go in and shoot him or snatch him — at this point." The official added: "I wouldn't say never, but that's not the plan right now."
While the conversation between the two leaders remains in preliminary planning stages, no specific date has been established, according to a second U.S. official. The administration continues to frame Maduro in stark terms, with one official instructing that he should always be identified as a "narcoterrorist" when representing the president's thinking.
The diplomatic overture comes on the same day the United States officially classified the Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. The designation represents one of Washington's most aggressive policy moves against Venezuelan leadership, linking Maduro's government directly to international drug trafficking operations.
The U.S. has substantially expanded its military footprint throughout Latin America in recent months, deploying Marines, naval vessels, fighter aircraft, bombers, submarines and surveillance drones. The buildup has fueled widespread speculation about potential military action against Venezuela, though Trump indicated Friday that direct communication with Maduro would happen soon.
Despite the military posturing, one official suggested that operational priorities center on interdiction rather than regime change. "In the meantime, we're going to blow up boats shipping drugs. We're going to stop the drug trafficking," the official said.
Maduro has publicly stated that Venezuela stands ready for direct, high-level engagement with Washington. His willingness to participate in what he termed "face-to-face" dialogue suggests both sides may be seeking an off-ramp from escalating tensions, even as the U.S. maintains its designation of Venezuelan leadership as connected to narcoterrorism.
The proposed talks would represent the first known direct communication between Trump and Maduro during Trump's current term, occurring against a backdrop of sustained economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and now formal terrorism designations targeting Venezuela's government and associated criminal organizations.
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