Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a rally in Caracas, capital of Venezuela on December 1, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

US President Donald Trump reportedly gave Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro an ultimatum to relinquish power immediately during their recent call, but Venezuela’s leader declined, demanding a “global amnesty” for himself and allies, according to The Guardian. 

Trump on Monday evening met with his top national security advisors at the White House Oval Office to weigh next steps, including potential land attacks on Venezuela, Xinhua News Agency reported. 

According to media reports, Trump set last Friday as a deadline for Maduro to relinquish power and leave the oil-rich South American country with his family during a phone call between the two on November 21, but Maduro refused to comply. 

During the phone call, Maduro declined the ultimatum, demanding "global amnesty" for himself and others, according to reports published Sunday and Monday, Xinhua reported. 

Sources told the Miami Herald that Trump sent a "blunt message" to Maduro during the phone call, amid a mounting pressure campaign in which the White House has intensified the US military buildup in the Caribbean Sea since August.

However, Maduro allegedly refused to give up power and reportedly made his own demands, including global immunity from prosecution and being allowed to retain control of the military if he steps down, Xinhua reported. 

On Monday Maduro told thousands of supporters that Venezuela did not want “a slave’s peace.”

“We want peace, but peace with sovereignty, equality, freedom! We do not want a slave’s peace, nor the peace of colonies!” Maduro said at a rally in Caracas, The Guardian reported. 

Maduro noted that the 22-week U.S. military "aggression" can be described as "psychological terrorism," according to Xinhua.  

US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Venezuela with a significant naval build-up in the Caribbean, carrying out strikes on vessels suspected of smuggling drugs since September and issuing on Saturday stern warnings to stay clear of Venezuelan airspace, Xinhua reported. 

Global Times