Trump calls off diplomatic outreach to Venezuela: Report
US president tells his special envoy Richard Grenell to stop all outreach, including his talks with Venezuela's Maduro, according to New York Times
WASHINGTON
US President Donald Trump called off efforts to reach a diplomatic agreement with Venezuela, the New York Times reported Monday.
Trump told his special envoy Richard Grenell to stop all diplomatic outreach, including his talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the newspaper said, citing US officials.
According to the report, Trump has grown "frustrated" with Maduro’s failure to accede to American demands to give up power voluntarily and the continued insistence by Venezuelan officials that they have no part in drug trafficking.
US officials have said that the Trump administration has developed several military contingency plans for potential escalation, including options aimed at removing Maduro from power.
Maduro has repeatedly said that the US is seeking to overthrow his government.
The US is also seeking a $50 million reward for Maduro's arrest, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and criminal groups.
