Venezuela: Nicolás Maduro hopes for a “new beginning” in his relations with Washington
After the announced election of Donald Trump, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro launched a message of reconciliation with the United States, while relations between both countries broke down in 2019, during the Republican president’s first term.
“We did not do well during his first term. It’s a new beginning. We bet on win-win. “May things go well for the United States and may things go well for Venezuela.”Maduro said during a television program.
Joe Biden’s administration did not recognize Maduro’s victory in the presidential elections of July 28, of which he was proclaimed the winner by the National Electoral Council and the Supreme Court, considered under the orders of those in power, to a large extent. consternation. of the opposition, which denounces fraud and claims the victory of its candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia.
Shortly before, on Wednesday, the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already said that it was willing to “establish good relationships” with the United States even congratulating “The people of the United States (…) and President-elect Donald J. Trump.”
“The Venezuelan people share historical ties with the people of the United States, with whom we aspire to follow a path of peace and social justice, where there is no place for war, exclusion, discrimination”concluded the press release.
Both Maduro and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs avoided mentioning US sanctions. During his first term (2017-2021), Donald Trump imposed a policy of maximum pressure to try to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro from power, toughening financial sanctions and establishing an oil embargo.
Almost 8 million Venezuelans have left the country to escape the crisis, some of them heading to the United States. However, immigration was one of the main issues of the Republican candidate’s campaign for the White House.
