Sources close to the US administration have indicated that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro may find Turkey the most realistic refuge should he decide to leave Caracas under increasing US pressure. The Trump administration continues to push for a “soft or hard exit” option to remove him from power after the 2024 elections, which Washington and more than fifty other countries have described as fraudulent, according to The Washington Post.
According to the newspaper, the personal and political relationship between Maduro and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was among the first to congratulate him after his controversial victory, makes Ankara a logical choice for any potential exile deal. Officials from both countries have exchanged high-level visits and signed trade and strategic agreements. Maduro has also referred to Erdoğan as a “brother” on several occasions.
Sources familiar with the US administration’s deliberations told the newspaper that Turkey is “the ideal place” from Maduro’s perspective, not only because of the personal trust between him and Erdoğan, but also because of the latter’s good relations with Trump. This makes any extradition deal negotiable and includes "guarantees" preventing Maduro's extradition to the United States, where he faces an indictment on charges of drug trafficking, corruption, and other crimes, in addition to a substantial US reward of $50 million.
The US Strike Looms
The newspaper notes that Maduro still enjoys international support from Russia, Iran, and Cuba, which provide his regime with various forms of military, security, and political support. However, experts told the newspaper that these countries are not "comfortable or safe" destinations for a president who wants to avoid becoming a bargaining chip. Turkey, according to sources, provides a financial and commercial network based on Venezuelan gold, a significant portion of which has been transferred to Ankara for refining under existing agreements in recent years.
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With escalating US military pressure, as Washington has deployed a large naval and air force to the Caribbean, Trump is hinting that the "hard" option could include operations to arrest Maduro or cripple his military capabilities.
Meanwhile, the administration continues to justify its strikes on suspected drug boats, which, according to the newspaper, have killed more than 80 people, under the "laws of war." This has drawn widespread objections from Democratic lawmakers and a number of Republicans who question the legal and practical basis for these operations.
The report notes that domestic pressure on the administration is also mounting. Polls have shown that a majority of Americans do not support direct military intervention in Venezuela. Some within Trump's own camp believe that sliding into a new war could contradict his campaign promise not to engage in new foreign conflicts.
The report adds that Turkey, which in recent years has sought to bolster its role as an international mediator from Ukraine to Gaza, may see hosting Maduro as an opportunity to expand its influence with Trump and obtain concessions regarding arms deals. This includes the F-35 fighter jet program, from which Ankara was excluded after purchasing the Russian S-400 missile system.
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The report concludes that the "Turkish exile" offers a face-saving exit for all parties: Maduro leaves without surrendering to traditional adversaries like Washington, Trump achieves his goal of removing a strategic opponent without engaging in a protracted war, and Ankara reaps a political gain that strengthens its role in various regional and international issues.
Details of the airspace clearance
In a dangerous development regarding the crisis between Washington and Cuba, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday the closure of the airspace over Venezuela, just two days after declaring that "ground operations" in Venezuela would begin "very soon," aimed at implementing new measures against drug smuggling networks.
Trump stated in a post on his social media platform "Truth Social" on Saturday: "To all airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers, please consider the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be closed in its entirety. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Closure of Venezuelan Airspace
This came after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted on Thursday, two days ago, that the United States is preparing to take new measures against drug smuggling networks in Venezuela, informing military personnel during a Thanksgiving phone call that ground operations would begin "very soon."
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Trump said: "In recent weeks, you've been working to deter Venezuelan drug dealers, and there are many of them, of course. There aren't too many of them coming by sea anymore."
Cuba Condemns Trump’s Measures
The U.S. President added: "You may have noticed that people don't want to deliver goods by sea, and we'll start stopping them on land too. The situation in Venezuela is easier, but that will start very soon. We've warned them: Stop sending poison to our country."
Imminent Military Operation Against Venezuela
For its part, Cuba condemned Trump's announcement of the closure of Venezuela's airspace and considered that the U.S. President wants "to overthrow the legitimate government of Venezuela."
This comes at a time when the Trump administration has intensified pressure on Venezuela through the deployment of a large force in the Caribbean Sea, particularly the world's largest aircraft carrier.
Military observers and experts see President Trump's announcement of the closure of Venezuelan airspace as tantamount to a signal for the start of an imminent military operation, and the beginning of a military operation that could launch within minutes or perhaps hours, by U.S. forces against Venezuelan territory.
Trump claims that the military operation against Venezuela is to prevent drug smuggling, while observers believe that the military operation against Venezuela targets the overthrow of the government and support for the opposition in the country.
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