Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro said U.S. and Venezuelan officials should “start talking seriously” on drug trafficking and oil, per an interview published Thursday.
The big picture: Maduro acknowledged during the interview the months-long U.S. militarized pressure campaign targeting suspected “narco-terrorists” and was asked directly about President Trump’s comments that the U.S. military had “knocked out” a dock that Venezuelan drug boats allegedly used.
What they’re saying: “If they want to talk seriously about an agreement to combat drug trafficking, we are ready,” Maduro said during the interview that was taped Wednesday, per an English transcript that Latin American network TeleSUR published.
- “If they want Venezuelan oil, Venezuela is ready for U.S. investments like with Chevron, whenever they want, wherever they want, and however they want,” he said of the only major American oil firm that’s allowed to lift Venezuelan oil.
- Representatives for the White House and State Department did not immediately respond to Axios’ Thursday evening request for comment.
The intrigue: Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet noted during the interview that Maduro’s regime had neither confirmed nor denied reports of a “ground attack” in Venezuela, as Trump suggested, which would mark a major escalation in the U.S. campaign.
- “That might be a topic we discuss in a few days,” Maduro replied, dodging the question.
State of play: The U.S. military has struck more than 30 suspected drug boats in the Caribbean, killing over 100 people since September.
- Trump has also designated Venezuela a “foreign terrorist organization” and ordered a blockade of all U.S. sanctioned oil tankers servicing the country, threatening to bankrupt Caracas’ already struggling economy.
Go deeper: Trump on seized Venezuelan oil: “We’re gonna keep it”
Source: Maduro “ready” to talk with U.S. on drug trafficking, won’t comment on dock strike
