Overview

• Vice President Delcy Rodríguez released the full Sept. 6 letter in which Nicolás Maduro proposes “direct and frank” talks via U.S. envoy Richard Grenell.
• Maduro denies U.S. narcotrafficking accusations and cites figures claiming only 5% of Colombian drugs transit Venezuela, with over 70% of that intercepted by Venezuelan authorities.
• Asked whether he received the letter, President Trump declined to confirm and replied, “We'll see what happens with Venezuela.”
• U.S. officials say four suspected drug boats have been sunk or intercepted in the Caribbean since August, with multiple deaths reported, while offering limited public evidence for some strikes.
• U.S. naval deployments remain in the region and Venezuela continues military drills and mobilization as both governments signal resolve and outside scrutiny of the operations grows.