Venezuela’s socialist dictator, President Nicolás Maduro, has said that his government is willing to negotiate an agreement with the United States following months of American military operations targeting drug-trafficking networks connected to his regime.
In a pre-taped interview with Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet that aired on state television, Maduro said Venezuela is “ready” to discuss a drug-trafficking agreement with President Donald Trump and urged both nations to “start talking seriously, with data in hand.”
“The U.S. government knows, because we’ve told many of their spokespeople, that if they want to seriously discuss an agreement to combat drug trafficking, we’re ready,” he said.
“If they want oil, Venezuela is ready for U.S. investment, like with Chevron, whenever they want it, wherever they want it, and however they want it.”
Chevron Corp. remains the only major U.S. oil company currently exporting Venezuelan crude to the United States.
Maduro claimed the United States is seeking regime change in Venezuela and access to its vast oil reserves, describing a pressure campaign that he said began with a major U.S. military deployment to the Caribbean Sea in August.
He argued that it is clear the U.S. wants “to impose itself through threats, intimidation and force.”
The interview was recorded on New Year’s Eve, which was the same day the U.S. military announced a kinetic strike that killed five people aboard two vessels operated by designated terrorist organizations involved in narcotics trafficking.
At least 114 people have been killed since the United States began bombing alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific in early September.
The report indicates the U.S. may be signaling a possible expansion of its Venezuela-focused campaign, including potential ground operations.
President Trump confirmed that a strike last week targeted what he described as a Venezuelan port used for drug trafficking.
However, he declined to say whether the operation was carried out by the U.S. military or another entity, such as the CIA.
Maduro declined to comment on that strike during the interview, saying he could “talk about it in a few days.”
In recent weeks, Trump has escalated pressure on Maduro’s regime, ordering a total blockade of oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, designating the government a foreign terrorist organization, and accusing it of using stolen U.S. assets to fund terrorism, drug trafficking, and other criminal activity.
U.S. authorities have also seized two ships carrying sanctioned oil.
READ MORE – U.S Targets Narco-Terrorist Drug Hub with Drone Strike on Venezuelan Dock
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