During a phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, US President Donald Trump had gave him until November 28 to leave the country safely. And the next day, Trump announced the closure of Venezuela’s airspace, Reuters reports.
The phone call between Trump and Maduro took place on November 21.
Maduro told Trump he was ready to leave Venezuela on the condition that full amnesty be granted for himself and his family, including the removal of all US sanctions, according to three sources, Reuters adds.
Also, he demanded the lifting of sanctions against more than 100 Venezuelan officials, many of whom the US accuses of human rights violations, drug trafficking, or corruption, the sources say.
During the conversation, which lasted less than 15 minutes, Trump rejected most of the requests but told Maduro he had one week to leave Venezuela and go with his family to any destination of his choice.
But this safe passage expired on November 28, prompting Trump to announce the closure of Venezuela’s airspace on November 29, according to Reuters sources.
According to a senior US official cited by reporters, Trump was expected to hold talks with his advisers on Monday, specifically on methods of pressuring Venezuela.
A Washington source familiar with the internal discussions of the Trump administration did not rule out the possibility of Maduro negotiating his departure, but noted that significant differences remain and key details have not yet been resolved.

















