Overview

• Venezuela published the Sept. 6 letter in full, with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez sharing the text that proposes reactivating a direct channel via U.S. envoy Richard Grenell.
• Donald Trump on Sunday declined to say whether he had received the letter, while on Monday the White House confirmed receipt and labeled the document “full of lies.”
• Maduro’s message denies U.S. narcotrafficking accusations, cites U.N.-linked data to argue Venezuela is not a major drug-production route, and urges a dialogue to reduce tensions.
• The exchange comes as the United States maintains expanded naval and air operations in the Caribbean and has reported multiple lethal strikes on fast boats it says were drug-linked.
• Reporting points to a split in Washington between officials favoring direct engagement, including Grenell, and others pushing continued pressure through sanctions and military actions.