A recent interview of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with state TV channel teleSUR, conducted days before his capture by US forces, has resurfaced online.
In the interview, Maduro stated openness to assist the US in its anti-drug efforts, framing it as a mutual interest amid longstanding tensions. The Venezuelan leader gave the interview to state TV channel teleSUR about 48 hours before US President Donald Trump authorised precision military strikes, hitting Fuerte Tiuna military base, La Carlota airfield in Caracas, and sites in Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states, citing Maduro’s indictments for shipping cocaine as a “weapon” against America.
What else had Maduro said?
During the conversation with Spanish Journalist Ignacio Ramonet, Maduro had emphasised that Venezuela is a “brother country” to the US.
“The US government knows, because we’ve told many of their spokespeople, that if they want to seriously discuss an agreement to combat drug trafficking, we’re ready,” Maduro had said.
“If they want Venezuela’s oil, Venezuela is ready to accept US investments like those of Chevron, when, where and how they want to make them,” the president added.
Asked about what the US is trying to achieve, Maduro said in his interview that it was seeking to impose itself “through threats, intimidation and force,” according to a translation of his interview by The Associated Press.
Maduro’s interview came in the midst of a monthslong pressure campaign by the Trump administration on the country that has seen dozens of deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific and an increase in US naval presence off the country’s coast.
Why did the US attack Venezuela?
The US launched military strikes on Venezuela, primarily to target Maduro’s regime for its alleged role in narco-terrorism and drug operations threatening American security.
Trump had earlier sought a “blockade” of Venezuelan oil, expanded sanctions against the Maduro government and staged more than two dozen strikes on vessels the US alleges were involved in trafficking drugs in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
In total, the US has sanctioned more than 100 tankers for their involvement in the Venezuelan oil trade or under the Specially Designated Global Terrorist classification, according to The Straits Times.
Maduro’s whereabouts are currently unknown even as a Republican senator has claimed that he may stand trial in the US.