US Halts Talks with Venezuela, Escalation Looms
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 — President Donald Trump halted US diplomacy with Venezuela. He ordered Richard Grenell—who had been in regular contact with Caracas officials—to halt negotiations. This decision is said to align with Secretary of State Marco Rubio's hard-line approach and could pave the way for a military escalation.
The White House recently declared the US is in a "non-international armed conflict" against drug cartels. Trump has ordered attacks on smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and hinted at attacks on cartel infrastructure on land—which would pose a risk to Venezuelan military targets. The US naval and air deployment in the region is now the largest since the 1989 invasion of Panama.
Before being halted, Grenell had negotiated the passage of US citizens and a plan to ease sanctions so Venezuela could increase oil exports. However, Rubio's camp is pushing for a harder line. Atlantic Council analyst Geoff Ramsey said the Trump administration is now at a crossroads: escalate, return to negotiations, or close the book and move on to other issues.
A swift response came from Caracas. President Nicolás Maduro declared on state TV that Venezuela "does not depend on you foreigners." In Washington, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed the fifth smuggling vessel had been destroyed in as many weeks. Trump said sea routes were becoming congested, so a land offensive could be the next step if necessary. (asd)
Source: Newsmaker.id
