"Venezuela wants to negotiate. We can discuss with Maduro and see what the outcome will be", US President Donald Trump said on 16/11, referring to his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro.

Trump did not provide further details about potential negotiations with Maduro, whom the US accuses of "involvement in drug trafficking activities". President Maduro denies this accusation, stating it is a pretext for the US to deploy significant military forces near Venezuela.

US President Donald Trump at the White House on 10/11. *Photo: AFP*

Last week, President Trump indicated that he "had decided on the Venezuela issue", implying a decision could be made soon. Trump administration officials subsequently held three meetings to discuss potential military options against Venezuela, including the possibility of a ground attack, according to informed sources.

US-Venezuela tensions continued to escalate on 16/11 when Washington announced it would list the organization Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. The US accuses President Maduro of leading Cartel de los Soles, which Maduro denies.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Cartel de los Soles, along with the gangs Tren de Aragua and Sinaloa Cartel, of causing terrorist violence and trafficking drugs into the US and Europe.

The Trump administration is launching an anti-drug campaign off the coast of Venezuela and in the Western Pacific region, asserting that the US is at war with the gangs listed as terrorist organizations.

Since the US launched its operation targeting suspected drug boats and vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean in September, at least 83 people have died.

Ngoc Anh (According to AFP, Reuters)