Infobae Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Nicolás Maduro, demanding his departure from Caracas and warning of multiplied military actions. Following this, the U.S. State Department designated the Cartel de los Soles, which Maduro heads, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The Pentagon has implemented a military blockade, and U.S. departments are using legal resources to pressure the Venezuelan regime.

• Donald Trump spoke with Nicolás Maduro, threatening increased military action if Maduro does not leave Venezuela.
• Marco Rubio also participated in the conversation, indicating the U.S. has set aside alternative negotiation tactics.
• Trump demanded that Maduro and key regime figures involved in illegal businesses and human rights violations leave Venezuela.
• Hours after the call, the U.S. State Department designated the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
• The U.S. has established a military blockade and is using legal and financial resources to pressure the Venezuelan dictatorship.
• Military operations are expected to deepen between early December and mid-January, targeting the Cartel de los Soles’ infrastructure.
• Trump stated that drug shipments would be intercepted by land as well as sea.
• The White House denied any possibility of Trump meeting with Maduro to discuss a transition.
• Opposition leaders Edmundo González Urrutia and María Corina Machado are awaiting Maduro’s departure to assume leadership of a democratic government.