Claim: Trump halted diplomatic contacts with Venezuela

Citing US officials familiar with the matter, the New York Times reported that Trump allegedly instructed Richard Grenell, who handles diplomatic contacts with the Venezuelan administration, to halt all talks, including those with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The report claimed that Trump had become increasingly frustrated with Maduro's failure to respond to US demands that he "leave power voluntarily" and with Venezuelan officials' assertions that they "have no links to drug trafficking."

Officials claimed the Trump administration was developing various military plans, including options to remove Maduro from power, in case tensions escalated.

Trump, in an executive order he signed, ordered the increased and more effective use of the military to combat South American drug cartels, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military was ready for operations in Venezuela, including regime change.

The US government also announced on August 8 that it had increased the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from $ 25 million to $50 million.

On the other hand, the US targeting of some boats off the coast of Venezuela on the grounds of "drug smuggling" drew criticism from both the Venezuelan administration and the international community, with it being argued that the attacks were "contrary to international law."