Imagine someone stole your house and, when confronted, offered to return it… in three years. Sounds crazy, right? That’s exactly what Nicolás Maduro proposed to the United States.

In a bombshell revelation, the New York Times exposed that the Venezuelan dictator offered to step down from power, but with an unacceptable condition: staying in command for two to three more years during a “transition.” Trump’s response was direct and firm: no.

A Desperate Dictator’s False Negotiation

Nicolás Maduro has ruled Venezuela with an iron fist since 2013. However, this time the international pressure is different. Furthermore, recent American military movements in the Caribbean have made it clear that his days in power are numbered.

Maduro’s proposal is nothing more than a political ploy to buy time. Meanwhile, he continues consolidating his control over all Venezuelan institutions, perpetuating a humanitarian crisis that has lasted over a decade.

Why Did Trump Reject the Proposal?

The answer is simple: Maduro has shown time and again that his promises are worthless. Previously, the Barbados Agreement promised free and transparent elections in 2024. The result? Blatant electoral fraud, persecuted opposition, and more repression.

Moreover, allowing Maduro to remain in power for additional years would mean:

• More time to strengthen his repressive apparatus
• Continued drug trafficking to the United States
• Deepening of the Venezuelan migration crisis
• Consolidation of alliances with Russia, China, and Iran

CIA Covert Operations: Real Pressure on the Regime

Trump isn’t just talking. In November 2025, the American president officially authorized CIA covert operations inside Venezuelan territory. This is a significant game-changer in the strategy against Maduro’s regime.

The operations include sabotage, psychological warfare, and intelligence gathering to “prepare the battlefield.” This means Washington is preparing for all possibilities, including broader military actions if Maduro continues refusing to leave power democratically.

The Dictator’s Dark Track Record

To understand why Trump doesn’t trust Maduro, just look at his track record. The U.S. State Department offers $50 million for information leading to the Venezuelan dictator’s capture. He’s accused of leading “Cartel de Los Soles,” a narcoterrorist organization responsible for trafficking cocaine and fentanyl into the United States.

It’s not just rhetoric. Maduro is formally indicted for drug trafficking, crimes against humanity, and systematic human rights violations.

The 2024 Electoral Farce: When the World Said No

Venezuela’s July 2024 presidential elections were yet another demonstration of Maduro’s dictatorial nature. Even after clearly losing to Edmundo González Urrutia, Maduro simply declared himself the winner through a National Electoral Council he controls.

The Venezuelan opposition managed to compile electoral records proving massive fraud. International organizations like the European Union, the Carter Center, and the Colombian Electoral Mission confirmed: Maduro lost the election, winning only about 30% of valid votes.

But what did Maduro do? He violently repressed the popular protests that erupted after the fraud. Thousands of Venezuelans were arrested, tortured, and persecuted simply for demanding their votes be respected.

The Terror App: VenApp

As if repression weren’t enough, Maduro recently launched an updated version of the VenApp application, turning it into a mass surveillance tool. Citizens are encouraged to report “suspicious behavior” from their neighbors, creating a climate of terror reminiscent of 20th-century totalitarian regimes.

Both Apple and Google removed the app from their stores after warnings from human rights organizations like Amnesty International, which classified the tool as an instrument of political persecution.

Why Does Maduro Insist on Staying?

The answer is obvious: Maduro knows that upon leaving power, he’ll face justice. With dozens of criminal cases in the United States, heavy international sanctions, and accusations of crimes against humanity, he has no future outside the Venezuelan presidency.

That’s why his “two to three-year transition” proposal is so cynical. He doesn’t plan to leave ever. Instead, he uses these false negotiations to temporarily relieve international pressure and buy time to further consolidate his power.

The International Community Is Divided

Unfortunately, despite overwhelming evidence against Maduro, the international community remains divided. While Western democratic countries condemn the regime, nations like Russia, China, Iran, Cuba, and Nicaragua continue supporting the dictator.

Over 120 countries have already recognized Maduro as president after the fraudulent January 2025 inauguration. This shows how geopolitics often overrides democratic principles and human rights.

What Happens Now?

The situation in Venezuela has reached a critical point. With CIA operations underway, massive American military presence in the Caribbean, and growing diplomatic pressure, Maduro is more cornered than ever.

However, the Venezuelan dictator has shown over the years that he’s extremely adaptable. He’s already survived coup attempts, international recognition of Juan Guaidó as legitimate president, devastating economic sanctions, and mass protests.

Possible Scenarios

Experts point to three possible outcomes for the crisis:

1. Negotiated exit: Maduro agrees to leave power in exchange for guarantees he won’t be extradited or prosecuted. Unlikely, given his track record.
2. Military intervention: The United States conducts direct military operations inside Venezuela to force Maduro’s departure. Extremely risky and controversial.
3. Status quo maintenance: Maduro continues resisting and stays in power indefinitely, despite international pressure. Unfortunately, the most likely short-term scenario.

The Human Cost of Maduro’s Dictatorship

While the dictator plays his political cards, the Venezuelan people continue suffering. More than 7 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2014, creating one of the largest migration crises in modern American history.

Inside Venezuela, hyperinflation destroyed the economy, hospitals operate without basic medications, and urban violence transformed Caracas into one of the world’s most dangerous cities. All this while Maduro and his inner circle enrich themselves through drug trafficking and corruption.

The Voice of Opposition: María Corina Machado

Amid this dark scenario, opposition leader María Corina Machado recently published a “freedom manifesto” from a secret location. The document establishes the democratic pillars all Venezuelans deserve: right to vote, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly.

Machado was forced into hiding after the fraudulent 2024 elections when Maduro intensified persecution against opponents. Even so, she remains the strongest voice of Venezuelan democratic resistance.

Conclusion: The Mature Dictatorship That Refuses to Die

Trump’s rejection of Maduro’s proposal sends a clear message: the time for false negotiations is over. The Venezuelan dictator can no longer use diplomacy as a shield to perpetuate his grip on power.

After 26 years of Chavismo, 12 of them under Maduro, Venezuela has become a tragic example of how an authoritarian regime can destroy an entire country. A nation that was once South America’s richest, with the world’s largest oil reserves, is now synonymous with misery, repression, and forced exile.

The question remains: how much longer will the Venezuelan people have to wait for freedom? And how far is the international community willing to go to end this mature dictatorship that refuses to end?

One thing is certain: with Trump authorizing CIA operations, rejecting false negotiations, and increasing American military presence in the Caribbean, Maduro is closer to the end than ever. It remains to be seen whether he’ll exit through the front door, through honest negotiation, or if he’ll be forced to leave power by other means.

The world watches. The Venezuelan people wait. And Maduro continues desperately clinging to power that was never legitimately his.