Kathrine Frich
Russia has increasingly become a landing place for leaders pushed from power.
It seems like a kind of geopolitical shelter where figures like Viktor Yanukovych and Bashar al-Assad have found refuge after being forced from their capitals.
As Moscow positions itself as a host for embattled rulers, discussions around who might be next have begun to intensify across diplomatic circles.
Offer of exile
Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin told CNN that Washington had quietly given Maduro options to leave Venezuela.
“We gave Maduro a chance. We told him he could go to Russia or any other country,” he said.
Mullin wanted to make sure it was understood that President Donald Trump does not intend to deploy US troops.
“He has made it clear that we do not intend to send troops into Venezuela. Our job is to defend our own borders,” he added.
Politico previously reported that Maduro had been unofficially informed the US would permit him to step down and relocate to Russia, Turkey or Cuba.
Divisions inside Washington
The offer has reportedly caused debate within Trump’s circle.
Politico noted that some advisers supported letting Maduro depart peacefully, while others favoured his arrest and extradition to the United States.
Sources cited by The Atlantic said Maduro might consider resigning if granted amnesty, protection for his associates, removal of the US reward on his capture and assurances of safe exile.
The comments surfaced as Trump summoned national security officials to the Oval Office to discuss the state of Venezuela’s crisis.
Maduro’s public message
Addressing supporters, Maduro declared that Venezuela would accept peace only on its own terms.
“We do not need a slave peace, nor a colonial peace! Colonies – never! Slaves – never!” he said.
The remarks came as US has intensified it’s operations against drug-trafficking networks in the region.
Under Operation Southern Spear, Washington has struck vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September.
American officials say 21 ships have been destroyed and 83 people killed, describing those targeted as comparable to “foreign terrorist organizations” like “Al-Qaeda.”
Caracas has condemned the US actions as “colonial threat” and “illegal aggression.”
Sources: CNN; Politico; The Atlantic; Digi24.ro
