Nicolás Maduro confirmed this Wednesday that he “about ten days” spoke by phone in a “cordial” manner with the president of the United States, Donald Trump, amid the growing tensions between Caracas and Washington over the military deployment of the North American country in the Caribbean.
“Approximately ten days ago, the White House called the Miraflores Palace (seat of the Venezuelan government) and I had a phone conversation with President Donald Trump“, Maduro said.
In an event broadcast by the state channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV), the Chavista leader indicated that the conversation took place “in a tone of respect” and hopes that the contact represents a step “towards a respectful dialogue” between both countries, without diplomatic relations since 2019.
“Welcome dialogue, welcome diplomacy (welcome dialogue, welcome diplomacy)”, expressed Maduro, who explained, when remembering his time as foreign minister during the government of President Hugo Chávez, who died in 2013, that until today he had not referred to the matter out of “prudence” and because there are issues that in his opinion should remain silent “until they arise.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Yván Gil earlier this Wednesday avoided confirming whether there was a recent call between Nicolás Maduro and Donald Trump, and limited himself to saying: “They have already declared it.”
On Sunday, Trump, when speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One returning to the US capital, was asked if he had spoken with Maduro, and said: “The answer is yes.”
The president then avoided elaborating on the details: “I don’t want to comment on it.”
