US President Donald Trump confirmed on November 30 that he had spoken with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro but did not provide details of the conversation between the two leaders. “I don’t want to comment. The answer is yes,” Mr. Trump said when asked by reporters on Air Force One whether he had spoken with Mr. Maduro. The New York Times previously reported that Mr. Trump had spoken with Mr. Maduro earlier this month and the two sides discussed the possibility of holding a meeting in the US.

“I can’t say whether it was good or bad, it was just a phone call,” Trump said of the call. The revelation about the call came as Trump continued to use tough language toward Venezuela, while leaving the door open to diplomacy.

On November 29, Trump declared that the airspace above and around Venezuela “should be considered completely closed,” but did not provide further details. That has left Caracas worried and confused as the US administration increases pressure on Maduro’s government. Asked if the airspace statement meant the US was preparing to launch airstrikes, Trump replied: “Don’t read anything into it.”

The Trump administration has been weighing a number of options regarding Venezuela, as Washington accuses the region’s illegal drug trafficking networks of being linked to the deaths of US citizens. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has denied any involvement in drug trafficking.

Reuters reported that options under consideration by the US include trying to oust Maduro, and that the US military is readying for a new phase of operations after a major buildup in the Caribbean and nearly three months of raids on suspected drug vessels off Venezuela’s coast.

Human rights groups have condemned the attacks, while some US allies have also expressed concern that Washington may be violating international law. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were legal but “lethal”. Last week, Mr. Trump told troops that the US would “very soon” begin ground operations to stop suspected drug traffickers from Venezuela.

Mr. Maduro and senior Venezuelan officials have not commented on the call. When asked about this issue on November 30, Mr. Jorge Rodriguez – President of the Venezuelan National Assembly said that this was not the topic of the press conference where he announced the investigation of the parliamentarians into the attacks of US ships in the Caribbean.