President Donald Trump stated on Friday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had offered substantial concessions, including access to the country's natural resources, to ease escalating frictions with the United States.
Speaking to reporters at the White House during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump affirmed reports of Maduro's overtures, attributing them to a desire to avoid conflict.
“He’s offered everything; you’re right. You know why? Because he doesn’t want to fuck around with the United States.”
The remarks came as the US intensified its campaign against what Trump describes as a "narcoterrorist" threat originating from Venezuela.
On Thursday, US forces conducted a sixth strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean, marking the first instance with survivors.
Two crew members were killed, while others were rescued and detained aboard a Navy ship.
Trump confirmed the target was a semi-submersible submarine designed for smuggling large quantities of narcotics.
“We attacked a submarine. That was a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs – just so you understand.”
He emphasized that the operation targeted criminals, not innocents.
Previous strikes, totaling at least five, have resulted in 27 deaths, with victims reportedly including Venezuelans and possibly Colombians.
The US has deployed guided missile destroyers, F-35 jets, a nuclear submarine, and about 6,500 troops to the region.
Trump has authorized CIA covert operations inside Venezuela, fueling speculation of regime change efforts.
Maduro, in power since 2013, has bolstered security by deploying tens of thousands of troops and accused the US of seeking his ouster.
Venezuelan officials, including Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, have dismissed reports of internal negotiations to replace Maduro as fabrications.
Amid these developments, intermediaries in Qatar reportedly conveyed proposals from Rodríguez and her brother Jorge, national assembly president, positioning them as viable alternatives to Maduro.
The US president also referenced this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado, noting her award last Friday.
Trump, who sought the prize unsuccessfully, remarked on her generosity while prioritizing life-saving actions.
The strikes have drawn sharp criticism.
Venezuela deems them illegal aggressions and murders violating sovereignty.
Legal experts and human rights advocates argue the actions breach international law.
Juanita Goebertus Estrada of Human Rights Watch stated that the US is not in an armed conflict with Venezuela or criminal groups, and lethal force must be minimized under human rights standards.
On Capitol Hill, both Democrats and Republicans express unease over limited information on the strikes' execution.