Caracas: Venezuelan officials have reportedly proposed a plan under which President Nicolás Maduro would gradually relinquish power in the coming years a move aimed at softening U.S. pressure and potentially opening a diplomatic channel with Washington. However, according to a former Trump administration official familiar with the matter, the proposal was rejected by the White House, which continues to question Maduro’s legitimacy.
According to the source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information, the Venezuelan government floated a timeline under which Maduro would step down in three years, transferring authority to Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. She would then serve out the remainder of Maduro’s current six-year term, set to end in January 2031.
The plan, described as a gradual and controlled transition, was reportedly meant to reassure both domestic supporters and international actors that Venezuela’s leadership change would not result in political instability or internal power struggles.
Despite the proposal’s intent to de-escalate tensions, the White House rejected the offer outright, citing its refusal to recognize Maduro’s presidency as legitimate. The U.S. government has long accused Maduro of running a “narco-terrorist state” and manipulating elections to entrench his rule.
“The U.S. remains unconvinced that any transition plan led by Maduro’s inner circle can deliver democracy or accountability,” the former Trump administration official said. The rejection underscores Washington’s continued hardline stance toward the Venezuelan regime, which it views as deeply corrupt and complicit in international narcotics trafficking.
The timing of the proposal appears to reflect growing anxiety within Maduro’s administration. Reports indicate that Caracas has become increasingly uneasy amid speculation that former President Donald Trump, now a dominant political force once again, could authorize military intervention or covert operations to oust Maduro if diplomatic options fail.
This unease has prompted behind-the-scenes efforts by Venezuelan officials to open channels of negotiation with Washington a delicate balancing act as the government faces both domestic unrest and international isolation.
The White House declined to comment on the matter, neither confirming nor denying the existence of such a proposal. Analysts suggest that the U.S. may be keeping its strategy deliberately ambiguous to maintain pressure on Caracas while leaving room for future talks under stricter conditions.’
For Maduro, the rejection represents yet another setback in his attempts to normalize relations with the West and secure relief from U.S. sanctions that have crippled Venezuela’s economy. For Washington, it reinforces a consistent message that no negotiated exit led by Maduro himself will be accepted.
The revelation comes at a time when Venezuela’s neighbors are increasingly concerned about the spillover effects of the country’s prolonged crisis. The combination of economic collapse, corruption, and mass migration has reshaped Latin America’s political and humanitarian landscape.
Observers note that even a gradual power transition could have marked the first significant diplomatic breakthrough in years. Instead, the collapse of this proposal suggests that the stalemate between Washington and Caracas remains firmly intact, with both sides unwilling to compromise on fundamental terms.
As tensions simmer and speculation about U.S. military action continues, Venezuela’s political future remains shrouded in uncertainty caught between a leadership reluctant to let go of power and an international community unwilling to look the other way.