Trump, floating talks with Maduro, declines to rule out troops in Venezuela

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro participates in a demonstration to mark Indigenous Resistance Day, in Caracas, Venezuela, October 12, 2025. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump said on Monday he has not ruled out putting American forces on the ground in Venezuela, while expressing a willingness to hear directly from Nicolas Maduro regarding the Venezuelan leader's proposals to avert further U.S. military escalation.

Asked if he would rule out U.S. troops on the ground in the South American country, Trump said: "No, I don't rule out that, I don't rule out anything."