skip to contentAdvertisement'They would like to talk,' the US President added while speaking to reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida.By: Express Web Desk November 17, 2025 08:22 AM IST First published on: Nov 17, 2025 at 08:22 AM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookDonald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach Florida, on his way back to the White House, Nov 16. (AP Photo)US President Donald Trump said the United States “may be having some discussions” with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, even as Washington deepens military pressure in the Caribbean. Speaking to reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said, “We may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we’ll see how that turns out… They would like to talk.”According to AP, when asked what he meant when he said Maduro wants negotiations, Trump said, “What does it mean? You tell me, I don’t know… I’ll talk to anybody.”Reuters reported that Trump said on Friday he had “sort of made up my mind” on Venezuela, hinting a decision may be imminent. US maintains pressureThe US has accused Maduro of ties to drug trafficking, allegations he denies. Senior officials held three White House meetings last week to discuss military options, including possible land strikes inside Venezuela.Earlier Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would designate Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organisation, alleging Maduro leads it – a claim Maduro also rejects. Designating the group would make it a crime to provide material support to it.Trump told reporters the designation allows them to target Maduro’s assets, “but we haven’t said we’re going to do that.”Major US military buildup in CaribbeanBoth Reuters and AP reported that the Pentagon confirmed the arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford, the Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, adding to an already significant deployment near Venezuela. The carrier strike group includes thousands of personnel, warships, fighter jets and a nuclear submarine.The US military has carried out a series of deadly strikes on boats it says were transporting narcotics. AP reported that a new strike in the eastern Pacific killed three men on Saturday.Reuters figures indicate at least 80 people have died in 21 such strikes since early September.Human rights concerns Human rights groups including Amnesty International have condemned the boat strikes as extrajudicial killings, while some US allies are concerned Washington may be breaching international law. The White House maintains the US is in “armed conflict” with drug cartels and does not require courts’ involvement in such operations.A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed only 35 per cent of respondents support using US military force in Venezuela without the Venezuelan government’s approval.Venezuelan officials have accused Washington of “fabricating” a war and have announced mobilisations to prepare for potential attacks. Maduro has also been attending rallies backing socialist neighbourhood committees.AP reported that US troops have also begun joint training exercises in Trinidad and Tobago and continued drills in Panama.(With inputs from agencies)AdvertisementAdvertisementLoading Taboola...