Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stated Monday his willingness to engage in direct, face-to-face discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, a proposition Trump has acknowledged, while simultaneously leaving the door open to military intervention.

Maduro’s comments come in response to Trump’s remarks about the possibility of “discussions” between the two nations. “Whoever wants to talk with Venezuela will find us ready to talk face to face, without any problem,” Maduro declared during his weekly program, Con Maduro+. He emphasized that such dialogue would proceed even as the United States maintains a military deployment in the Caribbean Sea, an action Caracas views as a “threat.”

However, Maduro cautioned that “bombarding and massacring” the Venezuelan people is unacceptable. He asserted that diplomacy is the exclusive means by which free countries and governments should engage, and dialogue is the sole path to identifying common ground on issues of mutual interest—a stance he described as his administration’s “invariable position.”

US Maintains Hard Stance on Venezuela

On Monday, President Trump reiterated that he is not ruling out any options regarding Venezuela, stating, “We have to take care of Venezuela.” Speaking at an event in the Oval Office, Trump commented, “I don’t rule anything out.”

The U.S. President also criticized Maduro’s leadership, alleging without specific evidence that his government has been complicit in sending members of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua to the United States. Trump had previously indicated on Sunday that “there could be discussions” with Maduro, “because Venezuela wants to talk.” Earlier in the week, he suggested a decision had been made concerning measures to be taken with respect to Venezuela, though details were not disclosed.

Adding another layer to the complex U.S.-Venezuela relationship, the State Department announced Sunday that it would designate Venezuela’s Cartel of the Sun as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) effective November 24. The U.S. links this group to Maduro’s government, an accusation Caracas has vehemently dismissed as fabricated.

Diplomacy as a Path to Peace

“Dialogue is the way to seek truth and peace,” Maduro stated, firmly questioning “the threat of the use of force or the use of force to impose rules in relations between countries.” His administration has consistently advocated for peaceful resolution of international disputes.

The U.S. State Department’s designation of the Cartel of the Sun underscores the persistent tensions and longstanding U.S. policy aimed at pressuring the Maduro government. The move signifies a significant escalation in U.S. actions against entities it accuses of supporting the Venezuelan regime.

This exchange highlights the delicate balance between diplomatic overtures and potential coercive measures in international relations, particularly concerning Venezuela’s internal affairs and its ties with regional and international actors.