Trump 'gave Maduro ultimatum to quit but Venezuelan leader declined'

Donald Trump reportedly gave Nicolás Maduro an ultimatum to relinquish power immediately during their recent call, but Venezuela’s authoritarian leader declined, demanding a “global amnesty” for himself and allies.

- Tom Phillips

On Sunday the US president confirmed the call had taken place, telling reporters: “I wouldn’t say it went well or badly, it was a phone call.”

Neither the US nor Venezuelan government have offered further details of the topics discussed during the highly unusual conversation, which is thought to have happened on 21 November. But sources told the Miami Herald the US president had sent a “blunt message” to his South American counterpart, who is the focus of a four-month pressure campaign in which Trump has ordered a massive naval deployment off Venezuela’s northern coast.

“You can save yourself and those closest to you, but you must leave the country now,” Trump reportedly said, offering safe passage for Maduro, his wife and his son “only if he agreed to resign right away”.