President Donald Trump confirmed Friday that Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro offered full access to the country’s natural resources in exchange for being allowed to remain in power. Trump made the statement during a press engagement at the White House following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“He has offered everything,” Trump said when asked about reports of Maduro’s outreach. “He’s offered everything; you’re right. You know why? Because he doesn’t want to [censored] around with the United States.”
The reported offer from Maduro’s regime came through top officials, including Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez. The siblings are among Maduro’s most trusted inner circle and reportedly pitched themselves as acceptable successors who would ensure U.S. access to oil and mineral wealth if allowed to retain control of the government.
The proposal allegedly reached Washington via Qatar’s government earlier this year. Administration officials rejected the deal, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly leading the opposition. The administration maintains that any agreement falling short of full regime change would be a betrayal of American values and Venezuela’s democratic future.
The Trump administration has taken a hardline stance against Maduro, offering a $50 million reward for information leading to his capture. The regime has long been linked to narco-terrorism, human rights abuses, and military cooperation with hostile foreign powers. Maduro has led the Cartel of the Suns drug-trafficking organization and maintained close ties with FARC and other designated terrorist entities.
The Rodríguez siblings solidified their power in 2024 after orchestrating the downfall of former oil minister Tareck El Aissami, a key regime player with ties to Hezbollah and Iran. El Aissami was imprisoned by Maduro on charges of treason and corruption, further concentrating power within the Rodríguez faction.
President Trump’s confirmation marks a significant moment in the administration’s foreign policy strategy in Latin America. The regime’s desperation underscores the effectiveness of ongoing pressure campaigns, sanctions, and the U.S. commitment to dismantling authoritarian socialist networks in the region.
