Russian Ally Offers Maduro A Way Out As U.S. Ramps Up Pressure

On Thursday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held his second meeting in 17 days with Venezuela’s ambassador to Russia, telling him that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — who informed President Trump on November 21 that he would be prepared to step down and depart Venezuela if he and his family were granted full legal amnesty — was always welcome in Belarus and he should visit there now.

The Belarusian state news agency Belta said Lukashenko told the ambassador, “We agreed that you should coordinate certain matters with the Venezuelan leadership, with Nicolás Maduro. We agreed that, after resolving certain issues, you would find time to come to me and meet again so we could make the appropriate decision, which is within our competence. And if necessary, we will then involve the president of Venezuela.”

Trump’s administration has played a direct role in prompting these developments. For years, Washington has rejected Maduro’s legitimacy, citing a 2018 election it deemed fraudulent. In recent months, however, Trump significantly escalated political and military pressure on Caracas, including a large military buildup in the Caribbean and increasingly explicit public statements suggesting Maduro’s rule was nearing its end.

In a recent interview, Trump asserted that the Venezuelan leader’s “days are numbered,” while refusing to rule out the possibility of military action. This mix of private communication and public pressure appears to have contributed to Maduro’s exploration of potential exit guarantees.

Lukashenko’s actions fit into this broader geopolitical moment. Belarus has historically maintained warm ties with Venezuela. Belarusian state media described Lukashenko urging the Venezuelan envoy to coordinate matters directly with Maduro and return for further discussions before any high-level decisions are made, even hinting that Maduro himself could become involved if needed. Reuters sought clarification on whether Belarus might provide sanctuary, but Lukashenko’s office did not respond.

These meetings unfold as Lukashenko simultaneously engages in renewed dialogue with the Trump administration, which has recently eased sanctions on Belarus and appointed a special envoy to negotiate further political concessions. This creates a diplomatic environment in which Belarus could become a convenient political and logistical player in discussions surrounding Maduro’s potential departure.