The Trump administration is negotiating an agreement with Venezuela that would lay the foundation for a potential long-term U.S. military presence in the country, according to U.S. officials cited in a New York Times report published Tuesday.

The talks center on a status of forces agreement, or SOFA, led by the State Department under Secretary Marco Rubio. Such pacts provide a legal framework for U.S. forces to operate with partner nations on activities including training, exercises, and humanitarian assistance.

The development follows the U.S. military operation in January that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez now leads the Venezuelan government. In a speech Monday in Washington, President Trump referred to the events as "our conquest of Venezuela."

Officials stressed that any specifics on troop numbers or locations would be addressed in future agreements. A senior State Department official in Caracas said discussions about establishing bases remain "way, way down the road," with no current talks on that topic.

The negotiations mark a shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations after years of hostility. The United States maintains SOFAs with more than 100 countries, supporting defense cooperation without necessarily involving permanent bases.

Rubio met Monday with Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Oliver Blanco. State Department readouts highlighted the administration's three-phase plan for Venezuela focused on stabilization, economic recovery, and democratic transition.

The push for a military cooperation framework comes amid broader U.S. efforts to secure regional stability and counter adversarial influences in Latin America. Details remain limited as talks continue.