CARACAS (Realist English). Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has confirmed that he spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump late last month, describing the conversation as “cordial” at a time when a US military buildup in the Caribbean has heightened fears of confrontation.
Maduro, speaking Wednesday on state-run Venezolana de Televisión, said he chose to publicly acknowledge the call only after international media reports surfaced, arguing that he wanted to avoid “microphone diplomacy.”
“During my years as foreign minister, I learned diplomatic prudence,” Maduro said, referring to his time serving under the late President Hugo Chavez. “I don’t like diplomacy through microphones; when there are important matters, they must be handled quietly until they are resolved.”
Maduro welcomed the possibility that the exchange could mark the beginning of a “respectful dialogue” with Washington, saying Venezuela would “always seek peace.” However, he declined to share details of the conversation, citing the need for “prudence” and “respect.”
“With the favour of God and our Commander of Commanders, Our Lord Jesus Christ, everything will go well for the peace, independence, dignity and future of Venezuela,” he added.
Trump, who first mentioned the call on Sunday, addressed it again during a White House news conference, offering no specifics. “I spoke to him briefly, just told him a couple of things, and we’ll see what happens,” the US president said. He then reiterated his claims that “Venezuela sends us drugs, but Venezuela sends us people they shouldn’t be sending.”
The call comes against the backdrop of an escalating US pressure campaign: Washington has deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean, destroyed vessels it says were involved in drug trafficking from Venezuela and neighbouring states, and threatened strikes on Venezuelan territory. The Trump administration insists the military buildup is aimed at combating narcotics smuggling.
US assessments say Venezuela produces little cocaine but served as a transit point for 10–13% of global supply in 2020. Maduro has repeatedly accused Trump of using anti-drug operations as a pretext to overthrow his government and seize the country’s vast oil reserves.
Addressing supporters at a rally in Caracas earlier this week, Maduro said Venezuela seeks peace — but not at the expense of sovereignty. “We do not want a slave’s peace, nor the peace of colonies,” he declared. “Colony, never! Slaves, never!”