Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro confirmed on Wednesday that he spoke “cordially” with US President Donald Trump about 10 days ago, expressing hope it marks the start of “respectful dialogue” between Washington and Caracas.
In a state TV interview, Maduro explained he chose to disclose the call to avoid “microphone diplomacy” after international media reported details.
“During my six years as foreign minister, I learned diplomatic prudence – and as president, mentored by our Commander Chávez, I value it highly,” he said, referencing late leader Hugo Chávez.
“I don’t like diplomacy with microphones; important matters must be handled quietly until resolved.”
Maduro welcomed the possibility of respectful dialogue and reiterated Venezuela’s commitment to peace, adding: “With the favour of God and our Commander of Commanders, Our Lord Jesus Christ, everything will go well for the peace, independence, dignity and future of Venezuela.”
He declined further details, favouring “prudence” and “respect”.
Trump’s vague confirmation
Trump confirmed Sunday he spoke with Maduro but offered no specifics, saying it went “neither well nor badly”. On Wednesday, during a White House press conference, he added: “I spoke to him briefly, just told him a couple of things, and we’ll see what happens with that. Venezuela sends us drugs, but Venezuela sends us people that they shouldn’t be sending.”
Escalating US pressure
The call occurred amid the worst US-Venezuela crisis in years. Trump’s administration has deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean, conducted 21 strikes on alleged drug boats since September (killing 83+), and threatened land operations against “narco-terrorists”.
US officials frame the campaign as anti-drug trafficking, but Venezuela produces little cocaine – serving mainly as a transit point for 10–13% of global supply from Colombia, Peru and Bolivia.
Maduro accuses Trump of using the pretext for regime change to seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
In Monday’s Caracas rally, Maduro defiantly declared: “We want peace with sovereignty, equality and freedom. No slave’s peace, no colonial peace! Colony, never! Slaves, never!”
Source/Featured photo: AlJazeera
Also read: US-Venezuela crisis: Trump warships & CIA spark invasion fears
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