American officials are exploring whether to permit Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to live in affluence in Qatar, The Post has confirmed, while President Donald Trump weighs extending his three-month bombing campaign against suspected narcotics vessels into waters closer to Venezuela's coastline.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has raised the prospect of the 63-year-old socialist leader relocating to the gas-rich emirate, which is facilitating negotiations, a senior Trump administration source disclosed to The Post.
Five administration officials – three serving and two former – told The Post they view the arrangement as plausible.
"Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE love to do stuff like this. It helps build chits with the US," an administration-connected source remarked to The Post. "All three compete against each other – in the region and for the ultimate affection of the US."
However, a source knowledgeable about Qatar's Venezuela mediation efforts insisted to The Post that Maduro is not seeking residences in Doha. Qatar's rulers previously facilitated a Trump-proposed peace framework between Israel and Hamas, and the emirate had been hosting senior Hamas figures before Israeli airstrikes in September targeted them for elimination.
"It is untrue that Maduro is fleeing to Qatar," this person stated, according to The Post.
Trump contacted Maduro last week demanding immediate resignation, with the embattled Venezuelan leader reportedly suggesting a power transfer to his vice president alongside comprehensive amnesty for himself and confederates, The Post learned.
The State Department declined to comment when contacted, according to The Post.
Last month, the Trump administration classified Maduro and his associates as foreign terrorist organization members, broadening US military authority for Venezuela operations, The Post reported. Rubio branded the purported Cartel de los Soles, allegedly commanded by Maduro, "responsible for terrorist violence."
The White House has invoked the terrorist classification to legitimize military operations against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in Caribbean waters, including a September 2 dual strike that eliminated survivors, according to The Post.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt justified the continuing boat operations – which have eliminated at least 80 individuals – by citing "self-defense to protect Americans and vital United States interests."
Trump convened Monday afternoon with Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and additional senior officials to evaluate subsequent actions against Maduro, The Post reported.
US officials are presently collecting intelligence to shape recommendations, with a determination anticipated later this week or early next week, according to The Post.
One prospect involves targeting suspected narcotics smugglers within Venezuela's territorial boundaries – extending 12 nautical miles from shore, The Post learned. Such operations would intensify political demands on Trump to obtain congressional war authorization, as legislators across party lines have already rejected the boat operations conducted without their approval.
Trump declared on October 23 he was preparing congressional notification of plans for land operations inside Venezuela, but has delayed while pursuing Maduro's negotiated resignation and departure, according to The Post.
During Tuesday's Cabinet session, Trump issued warnings about striking land-based Venezuelan narcotics traffickers – and indicated Colombian operators also face danger, The Post reported. "Anybody that's doing that and selling it into our country is subject to attack," Trump declared. "No, not just Venezuela."
