Trump threatens Maduro with "use of force" if he refuses to give up power

US President Donald Trump has threatened Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro with possible military measures if he does not leave office voluntarily.

The US leader is said to have issued this warning during a phone conversation with Madura last week, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter.

According to the publication, Trump told Maduro that if he didn’t leave willingly, the US would consider "other options" including the use of force, according to people familiar with discussion.

In the course of the phone call, the two leaders mainly discussed Venezuela’s demands for a general amnesty for Maduro, his senior aides and their families, many of whom face US financial sanctions and criminal indictments, people familiar with the matter said.

The conversation was first revealed by the New York Times publication while the White House has yet to comment on its veracity.

The WSJ report comes as the American president announced the "closure" of the airspace over and around Venezuela on his official X account.

By Nazrin Sadigova