December 2, 2025 | 04:28 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, has repeatedly called for peace and pledged "absolute loyalty" to his people. Maduro's strong statement was made in front of thousands of Venezuelans amidst increasing tensions over potential US military action.
The protests on Monday occurred as US President Donald Trump met with his national security team at the White House. Trump discussed steps regarding Venezuela, according to media reports as cited by Al Jazeera.
Maduro, addressing people waving Venezuelan flags outside the presidential palace in Caracas, said his country desires peace, but only peace with sovereignty, equality, and freedom. “We do not want a slave’s peace, nor the peace of colonies! Colony, never! Slaves, never!” he said on Monday, December 1.
The Trump administration is pressuring Venezuela by increasing military presence in the Caribbean. Trump referred to this move as an anti-drug trafficking campaign. Caracas stated that the action aims to overthrow Maduro's government.
The US has gathered 15,000 troops in the region and deployed the world's largest aircraft carrier there. The US also designated Cartel de los Soles, which it depicted as a drug trafficking cartel led by Maduro, as a terrorist organization.
Since September, Israel has launched at least 21 attacks on ships suspected of transporting drugs in the Caribbean and the Pacific, resulting in the deaths of at least 83 people.
Experts say the US military power amassed is much larger than required for anti-drug trafficking operations. Caracas stated that the US is seeking regime change in Venezuela to control the country's abundant natural resources, including oil.
Maduro accused the US on Monday of launching a campaign of psychological terrorism. “We have endured 22 weeks of aggression,” he said. “These 22 weeks have put us to the test, and the people of Venezuela have demonstrated their love for the homeland."
Trump confirmed on Sunday that he spoke with Maduro over the phone. However, he refused to provide details, saying that the conversation did not go well or badly.
Maduro told Trump that he is willing to leave Venezuela, provided that he and his family receive full legal amnesty, including the lifting of all US sanctions and the end of major cases he faces before the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to a Reuters report.
He also requested the lifting of sanctions on more than 100 Venezuelan government officials, many of whom are accused by the US of human rights violations, drug trafficking, or corruption.
Trump rejected most of his requests. Trump told Maduro that he has a week to leave Venezuela for a country of his choice with his family members.
The Trump administration stated that it does not recognize Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, as the legitimate president of Venezuela. Maduro claimed victory in last year's re-election in a national referendum considered a sham by the US and other Western governments, and which independent observers believe was won by the opposition with a majority of votes.
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