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VENEZUELA-US-DIPLOMACY-CRISIS
Venezuela’s Maduro says he wouldn’t miss ‘chance’ to meet Trump
CARACAS, Sept 29, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Venezuela’s embattled President Nicolas
Maduro said Friday that he would not pass up a chance to meet with his US
counterpart Donald Trump, if that meant ironing out the countries’ many
disagreements.
Just back from his UN General Assembly trip, Maduro was speaking in
response to remarks made by the US leader at the meeting that Venezuela was a
“mess” that had to be “cleaned up”.
“I’m told that the United States president once again mentioned me. My
response is that I am brave enough, decisive enough and forceful enough to
meet President Trump, greet him with respect and establish a high-ranking
dialogue… If such an opportunity were to arise, I would not miss it,” said
the socialist leader, whose country is in an economic mega-crisis.
“I would be ready to meet any time, any place, extend my hand, speak, see
him face to face and look in his eyes. And I know that if that were to
happen, a lot of things would change,” Maduro said at the international
airport in Maiquetia, near Caracas.
While at the UN General Assembly, Trump also remarked that all options were
on the table in the case of Venezuela. Thousands have fled hunger and
economic collapse in the state-led economy.
On whether he would meet Maduro, Trump kept his cards close to his vest,
saying only that he’d see what happens.
On Tuesday, the US Treasury announced new sanctions against Venezuelan
first lady Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro, an attorney and the president’s
wife, as one of the figures who has helped Maduro retain his grip on power,
along with Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.
He said Maduro’s socialism “has bankrupted the oil-rich nation and driven
its people into abject poverty.”
BSS/AFP/SSS/0826 hrs