President Donald Trump just gave Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro an ultimatum. 

The Daily Caller reports that the president promised Maduro "safe passage" for him and his family if he resigns from his position atop the Venezuelan government.

It does not appear as though Maduro took the deal - at least, not yet.

🚨Update: President Trump told Dictator Maduro he, his wife Cilia Flores, and his son would receive safe passage only if he resigned NOW and left the country immediately.

Dictator Maduro rejected the demand, counteroffering for global amnesty, control of the armed forces, and… pic.twitter.com/aogvSOS0hD

— US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) December 1, 2025

Trump makes the call

According to Fox News, Trump gave the ultimatum during a phone call that he recently made to Maduro. This was just before the president announced the closure of Venezuelan airspace.

Fox reports:

President Donald Trump delivered a stern ultimatum to Nicolás Maduro to leave Venezuela immediately before announcing the country's airspace should be closed, according to a report. Per the Miami Herald, Washington's warning was delivered in a phone call with Caracas and offered guaranteed evacuation for Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, and their son, but only if the dictator agreed to resign on the spot.

The outlet goes on to report that "The conversation stalled, U.S. officials said, and within hours Washington escalated dramatically." This, apparently, is because Maduro wanted more.

Fox continues:

The ensuing impasse, a source told the outlet, was over Maduro asking for "global amnesty for any crimes he and his group had committed, and that was rejected." "Second, they asked to retain control of the armed forces — similar to what happened in Nicaragua in ’91 with Violeta Chamorro. In return, they would allow free elections." The final issue was timing, according to the outlet, as Washington demanded that Maduro resign immediately – but Caracas refused.

It was not long thereafter that Trump announced the closure of Venezuelan air space.

Background

The administration of President Donald Trump has been ramping up its pressure on Venezuela. Trump has even hinted at the possibility of the U.S. military conducting "land strikes" on the country.

According to the Daily Caller, Trump recently said:

In recent weeks, you’ve been working to deter Venezuelan drug traffickers, of which there are many. Of course, there aren’t too many coming in by sea anymore. You probably noticed that people aren’t wanting to be delivering by sea, and we’ll be starting to stop them by land also. Also, the land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon … We  warn them: Stop sending poison to our country.

The president, as you can see, suggested that a land attack is more than just a threat.

It was on Saturday that Trump announced the closure of Venezuelan airspace, writing:

To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

What is going to come of all of this remains to be seen, but it would appear, at the very least, that Maduro's days in power are likely numbered.