Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has extended an offer to engage in direct talks with US Special Envoy Richard Grenell, days after a US military operation targeted yet another vessel allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

The correspondence, dated September 6 and shared on Telegram by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez on September 21, was confirmed by a US source to CNN. 

In the letter, Maduro denied any involvement in drug trafficking, describing the allegations as “fake news” and proposing a “direct and frank conversation” with the envoy.

The missive followed US attacks on vessels in the Caribbean that resulted in the deaths of at least 11 Venezuelans, whom Washington claims were transporting narcotics. 

Additional strikes on speedboats last week have raised the death toll to over a dozen, though the White House has not released conclusive evidence confirming the identities of the victims. When asked on September 21 about receiving the letter, President Donald Trump replied, “We’ll see what happens with Venezuela.” Both Grenell’s office and Venezuelan officials declined to comment further.

The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Maduro of being one of the world’s largest drug traffickers, being the head of the "Cartel de los Soles", and alleging collaboration with Mexican cartels to supply the United States with cocaine laced with fentanyl. Last month, Washington doubled to $50mn a bounty for information leading to his arrest.

In response to the recent US Navy deployment in the Caribbean, Venezuela has conducted military exercises, showcased Russian-made fighter jets, and claimed the mobilisation of millions of militia members. In his letter, Maduro asserted that he is providing the US with “conclusive data on drug production and trafficking” that demonstrates Venezuela is free of narcotics production, and he called for peace through “constructive dialogue and mutual understanding throughout the hemisphere.”

“According to UN data, only 5% of the drugs originating in Colombia transit through Venezuela," the Venezuelan strongman stated in his letter.

“This year alone, we have neutralised more than 70% of that small percentage attempting to cross our more than 2,200-kilometre border with Colombia; this is a very important figure."

Grenell, a former US ambassador to Germany, has met with Maduro several times this year to negotiate the release of detained US citizens in exchange for Venezuelan migrants previously sent to El Salvador. Last week, he publicly advocated for de-escalation, suggesting an agreement between the US and Venezuela remains possible. However, influential hawkish members of the Trump administration such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reject dialogue and are said to be pushing for regime change, even by military means.

Meanwhile, Trump mocked Venezuelan citizen militia training in a post on Truth Social, sharing a video of civilians undergoing drills with military instructors. The demonstration, part of Caracas’ response to the US naval presence in the Caribbean, has circulated widely on social media.

Trump warned on September 20 that Maduro’s government would face an “incalculable” price if it failed to readmit detainees sent to the US.