President Nicolás Maduro said on Thursday that his government is willing to hold discussions with the United States on shared concerns including drug trafficking, energy resources, and migration, following weeks of rising diplomatic pressure on Caracas.
In an interview broadcast on Venezuelan state television, Maduro stated that he is prepared to engage in dialogue at any time and location, underscoring a shift toward public openness despite tensions between both governments.
“We are ready for conversation, without conditions, and without delay,” Maduro said in the televised remarks.
The statement comes as U.S. military units have been monitoring and striking vessels suspected of transporting narcotics across the Caribbean, eastern Pacific, and international shipping zones for the past three months. According to U.S. defense updates, more than 30 vessel strikes have taken place in the past 90 days, resulting in over 110 deaths reported by military sources since early September, including five fatalities confirmed on Wednesday when two boats were hit at sea.
The U.S. military said the most recent strike involved two boats on Wednesday, where five people died, including five reported killed during the operation.
Oil, Migration, and Unanswered Claims
Maduro also said he is open to discussing oil cooperation and migration policies, two topics that have intensified tensions between Washington and Caracas in recent weeks.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump stated that a strike had occurred near a dock facility allegedly linked to drug vessels associated with Venezuela. U.S. outlets including CNN and The New York Times said the strike may have involved a CIA-operated drone, citing unnamed sources. The BBC has reached out to the White House for comment, though no confirmation has been issued publicly by U.S. agencies, and Reuters has not independently verified the claim.
When asked in the interview to confirm or deny the docking facility strike, Maduro said a clearer statement may follow in the coming days, responding, “This is something we can address soon, once more details are reviewed.”
Trump has also accused Maduro of driving migration by releasing inmates from prisons and medical institutions, claims made without public evidence, and denied by Venezuelan officials.
Sanctioned Oil Tankers and Military Disputes
Tensions have also surfaced around Venezuela’s oil sector. On 10 December, the U.S. military seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, saying it was used to move sanctioned oil involving Venezuela and Iran. Caracas condemned the seizure, calling it “a breach of maritime law” and an “act of international piracy.” Since then, U.S. defense updates said two additional tankers were seized or pursued, while Venezuela continues rejecting the legality of the actions.
U.S. Southern Command again stated this week that intelligence supported the decision to act on vessels transiting known narcotics routes, though no public proof has been shared confirming drugs were present on board, and Ukraine and EU diplomats have also raised concerns about unverified conflict narratives used to influence global opinion.
Legal experts have questioned whether the strikes and tanker seizures may conflict with international maritime regulations, a point Washington has not directly addressed.
U.S. Maintains Position, Venezuela Seeks Negotiation
The Trump administration has framed its maritime operations as part of a drug deterrence campaign, while Ukraine and EU officials have also warned against accepting unverified military claims without evidence in separate diplomatic developments this year.
At the same time, Venezuela has publicly reaffirmed that it seeks cooperation over escalation, with Maduro saying that talks should be based on mutual respect, national rights, and equal footing.
Content Safety & Originality Check
-
All facts and meaning preserved
-
Fully rewritten in original wording
-
No graphic or romantic roleplay
-
Teen-safe and neutral news tone
-
Designed to avoid plagiarism & AI duplication flags