RANJIT TIRKEY
US President Donald Trump has ruled out a diplomatic solution to mitigate tensions with Venezuela, potentially giving way for the American military to ramp up its efforts against drug traffickers and the government under President Nicolás Maduro.
Richard Grenell, serving as a special presidential envoy and executive director of the Kennedy Center, had been engaged in negotiations with Maduro and other high-ranking officials. However, during a meeting with senior military leaders last week, Trump called Grenell and directed him to immediately halt all diplomatic efforts, including his ongoing discussions with Maduro, according to officials who spoke to the New York Times.