Maduro Says He’s Ready to Talk With the U.S. “Wherever and Whenever”

In an interview broadcast on Venezuelan state television on Thursday, Maduro said he was willing to hold talks with US officials “wherever they want and whenever they want”.

The comment came as the New York Times reported that Venezuela has detained at least five Americans in recent months, to which the Trump administration believes the detentions are intended to gain leverage.

Maduro’s remarks also followed President Donald Trump’s claim that American forces had attacked a dock facility in Venezuela allegedly tied to drug smuggling. U.S. media later reported the strike was carried out by the CIA using a drone. If confirmed, it would mark the first known U.S. operation inside Venezuela.

Maduro did not confirm the report, and when asked directly about the incident, he said it was something that “could be discussed in a few days.”

For the past three months, U.S. forces have targeted boats they say were transporting narcotics through the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. 

Maduro has denied any role in drug trafficking and said the US is using the drug campaign as an excuse to try to remove his government and take control of Venezuela’s oil. Since December, US forces have seized two oil tankers and pursued another, saying the ships were carrying oil in violation of international sanctions. 

Venezuela has described the seizures as “international piracy”.