Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro signaled that he’s ready to make a deal with President Donald Trump following months of United States strikes on alleged narco traffickers off the coast of Venezuela and a blockade against sanctioned oil tankers in the region.
Maduro said in an interview that aired Thursday that he’s “ready” for talks with the United States to reach an agreement on countering drug trafficking in the region, according to Fox News.
“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,” Maduro 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,” he said.
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The socialist leader said the United States ultimately wants regime change in Venezuela and access to its massive oil reserves by working “to impose themselves through threats, intimidation and force.”
The Trump administration has carried out more than 20 strikes against alleged drug boats, killing more than 100 people in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific since September, according to Reuters.
In one recent operation, the United States struck a dock where boats are loaded with drugs. The hit marked the first known land strike Washington carried out on Venezuela.
Maduro, however, declined to react to the strike during a recent interview, saying he’d “talk about it in a few days,” according to Fox News.
Last month, Trump announced “a total and complete blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, which has resulted in the seizures of two vessels off the South American country’s coast.
Trump has also deployed roughly 15,000 troops to the Caribbean as part of a massive buildup of military assets.
The White House didn’t immediately respond to The Daily Wire’s request for comment on Maduro’s latest statements.
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