Maduro signals interest in better Venezuela-US relations

CARACAS (AP):

Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro signaled an interest in improving relations with the US following weekend talks with high-level American officials, prompted in part by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and concerns of rising gas prices in the US.

Maduro, in a televised meeting with cabinet members late Monday, did not provide details of the discussions. Neither did a White House spokeswoman earlier.

But he seemed to indicate he was willing to accede to US demands that he resume negotiations with his opponents as a first building block for any relief from US sanctions that have been punishing the OPEC nation for years.

“We have agreed to work on an agenda going forward, issues of interest,” Maduro said. “It seemed to me very important to be able, face to face, discuss issues of maximum interest to Venezuela and the world. And I ratify, as I said to the delegation, all our will to advance in an agenda of well-being and peace through diplomacy, respect, and the highest hope for a better world.”

The discussions come a little more than three years after the US broke off relations with Maduro and recognised opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s legitimate leader. They came together after months of quiet backchannel talks by intermediaries – American lobbyists, Norwegian diplomats and international oil executives – who have been pushing for US President Joe Biden to revisit the so-far-unsuccessful “maximum pressure” campaign to unseat Maduro that he inherited from the Trump administration.

But the impetus for a risky outreach to Maduro – who has been sanctioned and is indicted in New York on drug trafficking charges – took on added urgency following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ensuing US sanctions there, which promises to reshuffle global alliances and add to rising gas prices, driving inflation already at a four-decade high.

Powerful Democrats and Republicans alike on Capitol Hill last week began voicing support for a US ban on Russian oil and natural gas imports as the next step to punish Russia President Vladimir Putin for the invasion.

Venezuela is Putin’s top ally in Latin America and a top oil exporter. Its re-entry into US energy markets could mitigate the fallout at the pump from a possible oil embargo on Russia. But the discussions in Caracas were quickly condemned by top Democrat and Republic senators.