US Pressures Maduro to Resign Amid Military Escalation

The United States has intensified efforts to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, demanding his immediate resignation and designating the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization.

In a recent phone conversation, U.S. officials urged Maduro to step down immediately, offering safe passage for him and his close family members. The U.S. insisted on his immediate resignation, while Maduro's representatives proposed retaining control over the armed forces, a condition Washington rejected. The call, facilitated by Brazil, Qatar, and Turkey, ended without agreement.

Concurrently, the U.S. Treasury Department formally designated the Cartel de los Soles, allegedly led by Maduro and other high-ranking officials, as a foreign terrorist organization. This designation imposes increased sanctions and legal repercussions on the group, reflecting the U.S.'s heightened efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations involved in terrorism-related activities.

President Donald Trump announced plans to expand U.S. military operations targeting Venezuelan drug-trafficking networks. He declared Venezuelan airspace "closed in its entirety," warning airlines, pilots, and others to avoid the area.

Venezuela's National Assembly responded by forming a special commission to investigate U.S. military strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats near the Venezuelan coast and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez stated the investigation would be thorough and involve the national prosecutor's office.

Cuba condemned the U.S. actions, accusing Washington of seeking a violent overthrow of the Venezuelan government. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez described the increased U.S. military activity as an "exaggerated and aggressive" threat, warning that such actions would be extremely dangerous and a violation of international law.

The situation remains tense, with the U.S. maintaining a significant military presence in the Caribbean and continuing to pressure Maduro's government through diplomatic and military means.