Trump on Talking to Maduro, Venezuela

By Nicole Weatherholtz | Wednesday, 26 November 2025 01:41 PM EST
Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized the Trump administration’s approach toward Venezuela, suggesting it prioritizes oil over combating drug trafficking. In an interview with CNN, Petro stated, “Oil is at the heart of the matter,” and accused Trump of focusing on oil rather than democratization or narco-trafficking. Recent U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean have targeted vessels allegedly involved in drug trade, resulting in at least 83 deaths. However, Venezuela is not a major producer of fentanyl, with 74% of cocaine entering the U.S. via the Pacific, per a 2020 Drug Enforcement Administration assessment. The New York Times noted that most Venezuelan cocaine exports flow through Trinidad to Europe or Brazil. Military officers confirmed no cocaine was found on ships attacked by U.S. forces. Petro also emphasized that no Colombian investigation has linked Colombian drug trafficking to Maduro. The Trump administration has intensified pressure on Maduro, designating the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, enabling lethal force against targets. Venezuela’s foreign ministry rejected this as “the new and ridiculous lie” from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, claiming it aims to justify illegal intervention. Maduro asserted, “We are invincible,” during his weekly television program. Trump acknowledged he might speak with Maduro soon but avoided discussing the U.S. military buildup near Venezuela or strikes, stating, “You should probably know what the goal is.” Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax general assignment reporter, covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
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