US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he is considering speaking with the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.
The information was revealed by President Trump himself during a statement in which he asserted that a possibility of dialogue between Washington and Caracas is now open.
"We may have some conversations with Maduro, and we'll see how they turn out, but they want to talk," the US president said at a press conference with local media.
When asked by reporters if he had any news about Venezuela, the president replied: "No update on Venezuela, there is no update on Venezuela."
In response to a question about whether the United States might attack Venezuela following the designation of an alleged cartel linked to Maduro, Trump replied: "That allows us to do it, but we haven't said we're going to do it."
Trump's remarks come amid a growing US military deployment in the Caribbean.
Since last August, the US has maintained a military deployment in the Caribbean Sea, citing the supposed fight against drugs. Under this pretext, it has wholesale to several vessels in the area, as well as in the Pacific, indicating that they were allegedly linked to drug trafficking, but without proving it.
Also, last October, Trump acknowledged that he authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations in Venezuelan territory.
For its part, the Venezuelan government has repeatedly denounced the threat this military deployment poses to the country and the region. President Nicolás Maduro has warned that Washington's aggression aims to bring about regime change and seize the country's wealth, primarily its oil.
President Maduro must maintain his firm stance, not be intimidated, and not trust them. The thugs in the White House are playing the clumsy cop and the tough cop; they can't be trusted. They sweet-talk you in negotiations and then renege on their promises. They're waiting for you to let your guard down so they can plant more enemies within the country and weaken its internal defenses. I repeat, remain vigilant with these same players, don't openly trust anyone. They've already betrayed you several times, both inside and outside the country. Don't let up on the support from the RICs. The baboon is trying to keep these three occupied before striking. Have a good day, and God bless Venezuela and all its people.
"Always alert."