Qatar Emerges as Unlikely Channel in Fragile U.S.–Venezuela Negotiations but Trump Officials Remain Skeptical

Qatar has emerged as a discreet intermediary between the United States and Venezuela, seeking to keep open channels of communication as tensions between Washington and Caracas intensify, The New York Times reported.

However, while Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro has encouraged the Gulf state's mediator role, Trump administration officials have largely dismissed the initiative, favoring military pressure over renewed dialogue.

According to multiple officials familiar with the matter and consulted by the outlet, Qatari diplomats have relayed messages between both governments in recent months in an attempt to revive limited talks that previously touched on the release of American prisoners, deportation flights, and possible energy cooperation.

Juan Gonzalez, who oversaw Western Hemisphere affairs on the National Security Council during the Biden administration, confirmed that "Qatar is passing messages back and forth," describing the effort as an attempt "to encourage a more structured dialogue or back channel between both sides."

Qatar's involvement reflects its broader strategy of positioning itself as a neutral facilitator in global conflicts, hosting several international mediations. It previously hosted meetings between U.S. officials and Venezuelan negotiator Jorge Rodríguez in 2023, where discussions focused on easing sanctions in exchange for competitive elections.

Qatari officials, Gonzalez said, served as intermediaries by helping both sides coordinate sensitive exchanges and maintain communication when talks reached impasses.

Despite these efforts, Washington's interest in diplomatic engagement has waned in recent weeks. Officials told The New York Times over the weekend that President Donald Trump instructed special envoy Richard Grenell to halt all outreach to Caracas after growing frustrated with Maduro's refusal to cede power and denials of his regime having ties with drug-trafficking.

Administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, have advocated a harder line, and U.S. military operations in the Caribbean have expanded significantly, with more than 10,000 troops now deployed to the region.

Maduro, in response, downplayed reports that diplomatic ties have been severed, saying on state television that his government still maintains "some channel of communication" with Washington but "does not depend on the gringos."