Maduro made this statement on state-run Venezolana de Television, saying he wanted to avoid “microphone diplomacy” after international media reported on the call
By Asaye Bankole
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro confirmed he had a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump late last month, describing the call as “cordial” and “respectful”.
Maduro made this statement on state-run Venezolana de Television, saying he wanted to avoid “microphone diplomacy” after international media reported on the call.
The conversation comes amid rising tensions between the US and Venezuela, with the US deploying military assets to the Caribbean and carrying out strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels.
Maduro has accused the US of seeking to overthrow his government and seize Venezuela’s oil reserves, while the US has labeled a cartel allegedly linked to Maduro as a terrorist organization.
Maduro expressed hope that the call could lead to a “respectful dialogue” between the two countries, while Trump has said he spoke with Maduro briefly and didn’t provide details on their conversation.
The Trump administration has framed its military campaign as an effort to combat drug trafficking, with Venezuela serving as a key transit point for cocaine, accounting for 10-13% of global production in 2020.
However, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accuses the US of using the anti-drug campaign as a pretext to topple his government and seize the country’s vast oil reserves.
In a defiant speech, Maduro emphasized his country’s desire for peace, but only on its own terms, declaring “Colony, never! Slaves, never!”
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