WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he is willing to speak with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, but made clear he is not ruling out the use of American troops in Venezuela. Hours later, Maduro responded that he is open to “face-to-face” talks.

“At some point, I’m going to talk to him,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. When asked whether he would rule out deploying U.S. forces to Venezuela, he replied:

“No, I don’t rule that out — I rule nothing out.”

Maduro replied during his weekly television program, saying he is ready to meet directly with Trump:

“This country will remain at peace, and in the United States, anyone who wants to talk with Venezuela can speak face-to-face, without any problem.”

U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean

In recent months, the Trump administration has increased the presence of American military forces in the Caribbean, citing the fight against drug trafficking. Trump has claimed that drug networks are operating from several Latin American countries, including Venezuela and Mexico.

Since September, U.S. forces have killed at least 83 people in airstrikes on boats they claim were carrying illegal drugs, according to figures from the AFP news agency. No evidence has been presented to support the allegation that those killed were involved in drug smuggling.

Escalating accusations

Washington accuses Maduro of leading a “terrorist drug cartel,” an accusation he denies. Maduro has repeatedly claimed that the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean is part of an effort to remove him from power.

Trump added Monday:

“We just have to take care of Venezuela. They have dumped hundreds of thousands of people from their prisons into our country.”

The exchange of statements highlights the sharpening tensions between Washington and Caracas — tensions felt acutely in the wider Caribbean region, including Curaçao, which lies just 65 kilometers from Venezuela and hosts U.S. military operations at the Forward Operating Location (FOL).