According to a New York Times report today, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro rejected a last-minute U.S. ultimatum in late December 2025 to step down and go into exile in Turkey, paving the way for the dramatic "Operation Absolute Resolve" that captured him and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3.
The Proposed Deal and Its Collapse
- U.S. officials, under President Trump's direction, extended an ultimatum to Maduro around late December, proposing a "gilded exile" in Turkey. In exchange for voluntarily leaving power, Maduro would receive safe passage and potentially lucrative oil concessions for Venezuela (likely involving U.S. companies gaining favorable access to the country's vast reserves).
- This was framed as a peaceful transition to avoid military action.
- The deal involved intermediaries from both American and Venezuelan sides, aiming to install a more pliant interim leader like Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.
Maduro's Rejection:
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- Maduro dismissed the proposal, reportedly viewing it as a bluff or underestimating Trump's willingness to act. He continued public appearances, including a viral video of him dancing and mocking U.S. threats with a remix of his own speech saying "no crazy war." This defiance, per the NYT, convinced some in the Trump administration that negotiation was futile and accelerated plans for the raid.
- Turkey's involvement as a potential host stems from Maduro's past alliances (e.g., a 2018 visit where he dined with celebrity chef Salt Bae amid Venezuela's economic crisis), making it a neutral-ish spot for exile.
Lead-Up to Operation Absolute Resolve
- Trump's Escalation: Post-election, Trump ramped up pressure on Maduro, who faced a 2020 U.S. indictment for narco-terrorism and a $50 million bounty. The ultimatum was part of broader efforts to curb Venezuelan drug trafficking (linked to U.S. fentanyl crises via gangs like Tren de Aragua) and secure oil resources amid global energy tensions.
- When talks failed, the U.S. launched the overnight operation involving 150 aircraft, Delta Force commandos, and airstrikes on Venezuelan defenses, extracting Maduro from his Caracas compound without U.S. casualties.
- Aftermath: Maduro and Flores are now in U.S. custody in New York, facing charges. Trump announced the U.S. would "run" Venezuela temporarily, including its oil fields, until a transition, sparking international debate on legality and potential insurgencies.
- Venezuela declared a national emergency, with Rodríguez stepping in as acting leader amid power outages and military deployments.
