Overview

• The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump instructed envoy Richard Grenell to end all diplomatic outreach to Venezuela immediately.
• The move ends back-channel efforts that had probed potential negotiations with Nicolás Maduro’s government.
• Maduro said his government provided U.S. authorities with names, meeting times and locations tied to an alleged plan to attack the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.
• He stated that Venezuelan security forces are seeking suspects on national territory and described the alleged plot as a potential false-flag provocation.
• U.S. forces continue a regional posture that includes at least eight warships, a nuclear-powered attack submarine and more than 4,500 personnel, following strikes since August that destroyed at least five boats and killed over 20 people.