The administration of US President Donald Trump is negotiating an agreement with Venezuela that would ensure a long-term American military presence in the country, sources said, Report informs via The New York Times (NYT).
According to the newspaper, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading efforts to conclude a military pact known as a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Details of the long-term military presence, including the locations where US troops would be stationed, would be worked out in subsequent agreements.
However, the NYT emphasizes that it remains unclear whether the US intends to build and maintain American military bases in the country or deploy troops at existing Venezuelan bases.
An unnamed State Department official said Washington expects to expand security cooperation with Venezuela, but no negotiations on military bases are currently underway.