Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro expressed optimism for a renewed U.S.-Venezuela relationship following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. elections, suggesting the potential for a fresh start.
In a televised statement, Maduro remarked, "There could be a new beginning in relations between the United States and Venezuela." Acknowledging tensions between him and Trump while the latter was in office, he cited moments of goodwill, such as his reaction to Trump's alleged assassination attempts. "I did not hesitate for a second to show solidarity and wish him good health and a long life," he recalled.
Maduro felicita a Trump y habla de "nuevo comienzo" en sus relaciones pic.twitter.com/tmGAnitTTZ
— EL MUNDO (@elmundoes) November 7, 2024
Looking forward, Maduro conveyed his hopes for Trump's administration. "Today, I wish him success—and hope that his proposals and campaign promises are fulfilled positively and effectively." He concluded his message by saying he was committed to positive international relationships: "Here stands Nicolás Maduro Moros, the re-elected constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, always open to positive relations with the United States and the entire world."
This seemingly cordial message comes despite a strained history. A recent investigation by WIRED revealed a secret Trump-era attempt to unseat Maduro from the presidency. From a CIA hack of Venezuela's military payroll system to insider fights for spy agency resources, the report provides details on how the Trump administration internally placed Venezuela among its international priorities.
In 2019, Trump refused to recognize Maduro as elected president and instead recognized Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela. Before leaving office, Trump also imposed sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector, which the Biden Administration later softened.
In a 2020 interview, Trump claimed that he would only be willing to meet Maduro if it was to unseat him, an intention he later confirmed via his X account. "My Admin has always stood on the side of FREEDOM and LIBERTY and against the oppressive Maduro regime! I would only meet with Maduro to discuss one thing: a peaceful exit from power!" Trump wrote.
The Biden Administration also refused to recognize Maduro as elected president in Venezuela's most recent presidential election, recognizing opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the rightful winner, but not the president-elect.
Urrutia, who is currently taking political asylum in Spain after being threatened with arrest, also congratulated Trump on his victory, expressing hope for "strengthening our relations" for the "benefit of our peoples."
"The American people have expressed their sovereign will, reaffirming the value of institutions, the democratic spirit, and the strength of alternation in power, which reinforces confidence in the electoral and political institutions of representative democracies. From my position as President-Elect, I express my hope for strengthening our relations, always for the benefit of our peoples," Urrutia said in a statement.
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