Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is considering resigning and leaving the country within the next 72 hours, including for the Middle East, sources tell The New York Times. The decision could be made in light of an ultimatum issued by Donald Trump.

According to the publication, Washington gave Maduro until the end of last week to voluntarily resign with his family and close associates. If he agrees, he will be guaranteed safe passage and amnesty, including the lifting of sanctions against more than 100 officials in his regime. The phone call between Trump and Maduro on November 21 lasted less than 15 minutes and ended in a stalemate: Caracas proposed handing over political power to the opposition while retaining control of the military, but the US insisted on his immediate resignation.

NYT sources note that Maduro has stepped up his security: he's changing his sleeping quarters, using different phones, and expanding the role of his Cuban guards, fearing a targeted strike or a special forces raid. Since September, he's avoided public events, and his appearances at rallies are unexpected, often recorded. Speculation about a defection intensified last week, when Maduro made no public appearances, but he later returned with reports of talks with Trump.

The Trump administration accuses Maduro of leading the "narcoterrorist" cartel, Cartel Solé, which supplies fentanyl to the United States. To pressure the regime, the US has deployed more than a dozen ships and 15 troops to the Caribbean Sea and has carried out strikes against drug-laden vessels. Trump has repeatedly hinted at expanding operations on land, although he publicly denies plans for war.

Maduro denies all accusations, calling them a US attempt to seize Venezuelan resources. Venezuela has offered Washington a stake in oil fields and other economic benefits, but without the leader's resignation. There is currently no official confirmation of his resignation, but tensions in the region are rising.