Caracas: Venezuela is open to discussions with the United States regarding cooperation to counter drug trafficking, President Nicolas Maduro announced in a prerecorded interview that aired on state television. Maduro expressed his readiness for dialogue, stating, "whenever they want it, wherever they want it and however they want it."
According to Anadolu Agency, Maduro accused the US of pursuing regime changes in Venezuela with an aim to control the country's substantial oil resources through an extended pressure campaign. He remarked that the US seeks to impose its will through threats, intimidation, and force, and emphasized the need for both nations to "start talking seriously, with data in hand."
Maduro mentioned that the US government had been informed through various spokespeople that Venezuela is prepared to discuss an agreement to combat drug trafficking. The interview was recorded on New Year's Eve, coinciding with the US military's announcement of strikes against five alleged drug-smuggling boats.
The recent attacks have increased the total number of known boat strikes to 35, with at least 115 people killed, as reported by the Trump administration. Venezuelans are among the victims of these strikes. However, President Maduro refrained from commenting on reports of a Central Intelligence Agency-led strike last week on a Venezuelan docking area, which the Trump administration claimed was used by drug cartels.