Venezuela, Maduro: “Ready to talk with the U.S. about the fight against drugs”

Caracas (Venezuela), Jan. 2 (LaPresse) – Venezuela is open to negotiating an agreement with the United States to combat drug trafficking. This was stated by the South American country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, in an interview broadcast yesterday on state television, but he refused to comment on the attack carried out last week by the CIA in a Venezuelan docking area that the Trump administration believes was used by drug cartels. Maduro reiterated that the United States wants to impose a change of government in Venezuela and gain access to its vast oil reserves through a months-long pressure campaign, which began with a massive military deployment in the Caribbean in August. “What are they trying to do? It is clear that they want to impose themselves through threats, intimidation, and force,” said the Venezuelan president, adding that it is time for both nations “to start talking seriously, with data in hand.” “The U.S. government knows, because we have told many of its spokespeople, that if they want to seriously discuss an agreement to fight drug trafficking, we are ready,” Maduro emphasized. “If they want oil, Venezuela is ready for U.S. investments, as with Chevron, whenever they want, wherever they want, and however they want.”