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Donald Trump increases pressure, Maduro could end up in Qatar
2025-12-03 22:18:32 / BOTA
US officials are discussing the possibility of allowing Venezuela's socialist leader, Nicolas Maduro, to spend his final years in luxury in one of the world's richest countries, The Post has learned, as President Trump's bombing campaign against suspected drug trafficking boats could move closer to the coast of South America.
A senior Trump administration source said Secretary of State Marco Rubio has proposed the possibility of transferring Maduro, 63, to Qatar, the gas-rich emirate that is mediating the conflict.
Three current and two former officials described the scenario as possible.
"Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates like to do things like this. It helps them build credibility with the US," said an administration source.
However, a source familiar with Qatar's role in the Venezuela talks insisted that Maduro is not seeking a villa in Doha, where the royal family previously helped broker a peace plan proposed by Trump between Israel and Hamas. Qatar has also hosted senior Hamas leaders, leading Israel to carry out airstrikes in September in an attempt to eliminate them.
'It is untrue that Maduro is fleeing to Qatar,' the party said.
Trump spoke out about Maduro last week and urged him to resign immediately, while the embattled leader reportedly proposed as a counter-offer the handover of power to the vice president and a broad amnesty for himself and his allies.
The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.
The Trump administration last month designated Maduro and his allies as members of a foreign terrorist organization, giving the US more military options to strike inside Venezuela. Rubio accused the so-called "Cartel of the Sun," led by Maduro, of being "responsible for terrorist violence."
The White House has used this classification to justify military attacks on suspected drug trafficking ships in the Caribbean, including a double attack on September 2 that killed the survivors.
White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt defended the legality of the attacks on naval vessels that have so far killed at least 80 people, citing 'self-defense to protect Americans and the vital interests of the United States.'
On Monday afternoon, President Trump met with Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other senior officials to discuss next steps against Maduro.
US officials are gathering information to prepare their recommendations, and a decision could be made later this week or early next week.
One possible step being considered is to strike drug traffickers within Venezuela's territorial waters, which extend up to 12 nautical miles from the coast. Such a move would increase political pressure on President Trump to seek congressional approval to go to war, while lawmakers from both parties have already criticized the current strikes, without a congressional vote.
On October 23, Trump said he was preparing to brief Congress on his plan to carry out ground attacks inside Venezuela, but has temporarily pulled back while he tries to negotiate Maduro's resignation and exile.
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump threatened to order a crackdown on drug traffickers on the ground, and warned that Colombian operators are also being targeted.
'Anyone who deals with this and sells it to our country is a target of attack,' Trump said. 'No, not just Venezuela.'
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