Venezuela's Maduro says 'prepared' to speak to Trump
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro said on Mon he's "prepared" to speak to US counterpart Donald Trump, who previous claimed he was open to getting together with the socialist leader to go over his exit from power.
"When the time comes I'm prepared to speak respectfully with President Donald Trump," Maduro advised the state news agency AVN.
Trump said he "would maybe consider" meeting Maduro within an interview with Axios published on Sunday, but he changed track in a tweet on Monday.
"My Admin has always stood privately of FREEDOM and LIBERTY and against the oppressive Maduro regime! I would only talk with Maduro to discuss a very important factor: a calm exit from electric power!" said Trump.
Maduro made no particular reference to Trump's quotes but said that "in the same way I just spoke with (Joe) Biden, I possibly could consult with Trump."
Democratic nominee Biden is functioning against Trump for president in November's US elections.
Maduro met Biden found in 2015 when the latter was vice-president to Barack Obama.
Washington has been among the chief allies to Venezuela's opposition head Juan Guaido but that support has waned as the National Assembly president's task to Maduro's authority has shed impetus.
Guaido caused a mix 1 . 5 years ago declaring himself performing president following the opposition-managed parliament decreed Maduro a usurper over his 2018 re-election in a poll widely viewed as rigged.
The US was among the first of more than 50 countries to identify his claims and the Trump administration ramped up sanctions on Maduro and his inner circle in an effort to starve him of earnings and force his resignation.
After in the beginning drawing huge crowds in anti-Maduro rallies, Guaido's star has dimmed during the last year.
In January he even faced a concern to his position as National Assembly leader from an opposition legislator and former ally - an issue which has never been resolved.--AFP
