Donald Trump warned Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro to flee alongside his wife or face the consequences as the US loads up on warships and troops in the region.

The talks occurred Friday amid a series of lethal American drone strikes against suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers in the region that has killed over 80 people. 

The United States' presence in the region has only grown more menacing, with at least 11 warships and 15,000 troops deployed, including a unit capable of a land invasion to stop alleged 'narco-terrorists.'

The president even assured Maduro of safe passage for himself, his wife and son if he resigned immediately, The Miami Herald reported. 

A source familiar with the call said that Maduro asked Trump for global amnesty, which the president rejected, before asking to keep his control of the Venezuelan armed forces in exchange for free elections.  

Trump also said no to that idea before Maduro rejected the idea of resigning.  

The president confirmed Sunday that the talks had occurred amid soaring tensions between the two countries, while Caracas slammed what it called US preparations for an attack.

Trump also backed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after lawmakers from both parties said Sunday they support congressional reviews of US military strikes against the alleged terrorists, citing a published report that Hegseth issued a verbal order for all crew members to be killed as part of a September 2 attack.

The lawmakers said they did not know whether last week's Washington Post report was true, and some Republicans were skeptical, but they said attacking survivors of an initial missile strike poses serious legal concerns.

'The order was to kill everybody,' two people with direct knowledge of the operation told the paper.  

Trump had Hegseth's back, saying: 'I don't know anything about it. He said he did not say that.'

When he repeated that Hegseth 'didn't do it,' he was then asked if he'd be okay with it if Hegseth had done it.  

'He said he didn't do it, so I don't have to make that decision.'

However, Trump did also say on Sunday the administration 'will look into' the matter and added, 'I wouldn't have wanted that - not a second strike.' 

Both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill had agreed Sunday that if it was true, Hegseth was in deep trouble.

'This rises to the level of a war crime if it's true,' said Democrat Tim Kaine of Virginia.