Senior administration sources say Secretary of State Marco Rubio has floated a Qatar exile option for Nicolás Maduro, even as Trump’s anti–narco-terror campaign escalates and could soon reach Venezuelan territorial waters.
According to a report by The New York Post, U.S. officials are quietly discussing a dramatic endgame for Venezuela’s embattled ruler Nicolás Maduro: allowing him to leave power and live out his life in luxury exile in Qatar, according to multiple current and former administration officials who spoke with The Post.
A senior Trump administration source said Secretary of State Marco Rubio has floated the possibility as Qatar — one of the world’s wealthiest states and a frequent diplomatic mediator — plays a behind-the-scenes role in negotiations.
Three current and two former U.S. officials described the plan as plausible, noting that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE often compete for diplomatic influence in Washington and may welcome a role in brokering Maduro’s potential departure.
However, a source familiar with Qatar’s involvement insisted:
“It is untrue that Maduro is fleeing to Qatar.”
Qatar has mediated high-stakes geopolitical disputes before, including Trump-era Israel-Hamas negotiations, and even housed Hamas leadership — prompting Israeli airstrikes in Doha this past September.
TRUMP PRESSES MADURO TO RESIGN — MADURO OFFERS COUNTERPROPOSAL
President Donald Trump spoke directly with Maduro last week, demanding he step down immediately. Maduro reportedly countered with a proposal to transfer power to his vice president in exchange for broad amnesty for himself and his inner circle.
The State Department has not commented publicly on negotiations.
Trump met Monday with Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and senior national-security officials to discuss next steps in the Venezuela confrontation.
POSSIBLE STRIKES WITHIN VENEZUELA’S TERRITORIAL WATERS
U.S. officials are currently gathering intelligence to guide decisions expected later this week or early next. One option under consideration:
Striking alleged narco-traffickers inside Venezuela’s territorial waters (within 12 nautical miles of the coast).
Such a move would mark a major escalation in Operation Southern Spear and increase pressure on President Trump to seek congressional authorization for the use of force — something bipartisan lawmakers already demanded after U.S. strikes destroyed alleged drug boats earlier this fall.
Trump previously said he was preparing to formally notify Congress of his intent to authorize ground strikes inside Venezuela, but he has held back while attempting to negotiate Maduro’s exit.
During Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Trump signaled he is willing to broaden attacks beyond Venezuela:
“Anybody that’s doing that and selling it into our country is subject to attack… Not just Venezuela.”
He specifically mentioned Colombian operators as potential targets.
