Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is now reportedly positioning himself as a potential safe harbor for Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro as pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration continues to tighten around the embattled socialist leader. On Thursday, Lukashenko held his second meeting in just 17 days with Venezuela’s ambassador to Russia, sending a clear message: Maduro would be welcomed in Belarus and should consider visiting soon.
According to Belarus’s state-run news agency Belta, Lukashenko told the Venezuelan envoy that he should coordinate closely with Caracas and with Maduro himself before returning for additional talks. Lukashenko suggested that once certain matters are resolved, he and the ambassador would meet again to make decisions “within our competence,” and that Maduro himself could be brought into the discussions if necessary.
The overture comes at a critical moment. On November 21, Maduro privately informed President Trump that he would be willing to step down and leave Venezuela if he and his family were granted full legal amnesty. That extraordinary concession underscores just how intense the pressure from Washington has become.
For years, the United States has refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president, citing the widely criticized 2018 election. But in recent months, Trump has dramatically escalated the campaign against Caracas. His administration has ramped up military deployments in the Caribbean and sharpened its public rhetoric. In a recent interview, Trump declared that Maduro’s “days are numbered” and declined to rule out military action, signaling that all options remain on the table.
This combination of behind-the-scenes communication and public pressure appears to have pushed Maduro to explore exit options — and Lukashenko is making it known that Belarus could play a role.
Belarus and Venezuela have long maintained friendly ties, particularly as both governments have faced international isolation. Belarusian state media portrayed Lukashenko as encouraging the Venezuelan ambassador to work directly with Maduro and then return for further consultations before any final steps are taken. Lukashenko’s comments strongly implied that he is prepared to help facilitate next moves, potentially including direct involvement from Maduro himself.
Reuters attempted to clarify whether Belarus might offer formal sanctuary to the Venezuelan leader, but Lukashenko’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
These developments are unfolding as Lukashenko simultaneously seeks to improve relations with the Trump administration. Washington has recently eased sanctions on Belarus and appointed a special envoy to explore additional political concessions. That parallel diplomatic track places Lukashenko in a unique position: engaging the United States while also maintaining channels to a regime under severe American pressure.
The timing suggests Belarus could serve as a convenient geopolitical intermediary — or even a landing spot — should Maduro ultimately decide that stepping aside is his only viable option. While no formal arrangement has been announced, Lukashenko’s repeated meetings and public remarks indicate he wants Belarus to be part of whatever endgame emerges in Venezuela.
As Trump’s pressure campaign continues to squeeze Maduro from multiple angles, even longtime allies like Belarus are openly preparing for the possibility that Venezuela’s socialist strongman may soon be looking for a way out.
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