Report: Maduro Open to Leaving Power in Exchange for Amnesty and Exile

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro may be open to stepping down in exchange for amnesty, the lifting of U.S. bounties on his head, and safe exile, according to a new report from The Atlantic.

The outlet, citing individuals with direct ties to Caracas, said some U.S. officials are considering the possibility of renewed negotiations with Maduro’s regime, rather than relying solely on the current military pressure campaign, which includes strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the region.

Sources told The Atlantic that Venezuela’s military leadership—those who could replace Maduro—may have little incentive to hand over power to the U.S.-backed opposition led by María Corina Machado, raising fears of possible splintering and internal conflict if Maduro were to exit.

“If there is enough pressure, and if there is enough candy in the dish, everything is on the table with Maduro,” one person familiar with the discussions said, suggesting that a negotiated exit remains possible under the right conditions.

Maduro has publicly rejected U.S. threats, insisting that Venezuela is prepared to defend itself despite Washington’s military strength. “Do whatever you want—we won’t be rattled,” he said Thursday, mocking reports of U.S. naval deployments in the region.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House strategy toward Venezuela remains fluid, with President Donald Trump said to have expressed reservations about ordering direct strikes, reportedly fearing that military action might not remove Maduro from power.

According to CNN, senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and a representative from the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) told lawmakers that current legal opinions do not authorize strikes on land targets inside Venezuela. However, the administration is reportedly seeking a new Justice Department opinion that could provide that authority without requiring Congressional approval.

For now, the U.S. has continued aerial patrols and maritime strikes near Venezuela. On Thursday, U.S. bombers flew within 50 miles of the Venezuelan coast, and Secretary Hegseth announced a strike on an alleged drug vessel, killing three people.