US considers exiling Maduro to Qatar; military action is an option.
The New York Post reported that sources familiar with the Trump administration’s consideration of deporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to Qatar.
A senior Trump administration source said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested moving the 63-year-old Maduro to Qatar. Three current and two former US administration officials described the scenario as likely.
“Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE welcome these measures because they help them gain concessions from the US,” a source close to the administration said.
However, a source familiar with the matter confirmed Qatar’s role in the Venezuelan talks, saying that Maduro had not requested a residence in Doha. Qatari rulers had previously helped broker Trump’s peace plan between Israel and Hamas.
Trump spoke with Maduro last week and urged him to step down immediately, but Maduro suggested handing over power to his deputy.
The Trump administration last month designated Maduro and his allies as members of a foreign terrorist organization to implement its military options in Venezuela.
White House spokeswoman Carolyn Levitt called the U.S. military raids on Venezuelan boats suspected of carrying drugs legal, saying, “This was an act of self-defense to protect Americans and vital U.S. interests.”
Trump had previously said he intended to notify Congress of a planned ground invasion of Venezuela, but has so far delayed doing so and is trying to negotiate Maduro’s resignation and exile.