Free Republic

President Trump gave Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro a chance to escape the country with his life — but he had to do it immediately, according to a bombshell report. During a call between Trump and Maduro last week, the South American dictator demanded that he be allowed to maintain control of the military and wanted global amnesty for all crimes, according to the Miami Herald, citing sources. Trump’s response was reportedly blunt, and the talks quickly broke down. Maduro, his wife and son would be allowed to leave Venezuela safely, but they must do it immediately.

Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the Damascus capital for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018, as president Bashar al-Assad's regime nears collapse. One resident said the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Syria's state news agency denied reports that Assad had already fled to Russia claiming he continued to govern from...