Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has commented for the first time on the recent telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, describing it as “respectful” and “warm”.
12/04/2025, 06:1612/04/2025, 06:16
“I received a call and spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump,” Maduro said in a speech broadcast on state television.
Nicolas Maduro found the phone call with Donald Trump “warm.”Image: keystone
The conversation took place “in a tone of respect”. He expressed the hope that it could be a step “towards a respectful dialogue” between the two states, which have no longer had diplomatic relations with each other since 2019.
Trump recently confirmed that he had spoken to Maduro on the phone. However, he did not reveal any details about the content of the conversation. Maduro’s rosy rendition of the conversation seems difficult to believe: The US government has recently made it clear that it no longer wants to see the autocratic Maduro in power.
Maduro: “Welcome dialogue, welcome diplomacy”
Maduro said he had remained silent so far “out of caution,” because there are issues that “must remain silent until they arise.” “Welcome dialogue, welcome diplomacy,” he continued in English. “Peace – yes. “War – never, never in my life,” Maduro continued.
Trump has been tightening his tone and approach towards the South American country for weeks. The US has not only massed additional soldiers in the Caribbean and relocated several warships to the region, including the world’s largest aircraft carrier. Trump also authorized CIA covert operations in Venezuela.
According to US information, the military’s mission is to combat drug trafficking. More than 80 people have already been killed in attacks on alleged smugglers’ boats. Critics see the US’s actions as a violation of international law, while Trump’s government speaks of a legitimate fight against “drug terrorists”. But there are also voices that see a forced change of power in Venezuela and American interest in the country’s rich oil reserves as the central motives for US activities.
(sda/dpa)