U.S. President Donald Trump has called off efforts to reach a diplomatic agreement with Venezuela and told his special envoy Richard Grenell to stop all outreach, the New York Times reported on Monday, citing officials.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly alleged that the U.S. is hoping to drive him from power. Washington in August doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and criminal groups that Maduro denies.
U.S. forces hit another vessel allegedly carrying illegal drugs off the coast of Venezuela on Saturday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday, adding that the U.S. would also start looking at drug trafficking occurring on land.
Trump made the comment during a speech at Naval StationX Norfolk, next to the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier. It was not immediately clear if he was referencing a strike announced Friday by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
That strike, at least the fourth such attack in recent weeks, killed four people.
"In recent weeks, the Navy has supported our mission to blow the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water ... we did another one last night. Now we just can't find any," Trump said.
"They're not coming in by sea anymore, so now we'll have to start looking about the land because they'll be forced to go by land."
Venezuela's communications ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but President Nicolas Maduro published a video message on Telegram shortly after Trump’s announcement in which he blasted U.S. aggression against Venezuela and said the country counted with diplomatic support.
"Our people have never and will never be afraid to defend their right to live and be free," Maduro said, without referencing Trump's latest comments. "We will be ready to face any scenario."
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said earlier on Sunday his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov gave a "full expression of support and solidarity" to Caracas in a phone call between the two.
On Saturday, Gil said Maduro had sent a letter to Pope Leo XIV in which he asked for his support to "consolidate peace in Venezuela."
Hegseth told Fox News in an interview broadcast on Sunday he has every authorization needed for the Caribbean strikes.
With inputs from Reuters
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