Maduro Offers U.S. Talks on Anti-Drug Pact, Rejects Trafficking Allegations

He casts Venezuela as a victim of Colombian cocaine production to counter U.S. claims.

Overview

Nicolás Maduro said Venezuela is ready for a "serious" negotiation with Washington on a bilateral anti-narcotics agreement.
He argued that cocaine moving through the region is produced in Colombia and portrayed Venezuela as suffering from Colombian trafficking networks.
Caracas denies U.S. accusations linking Maduro to drug trafficking and points to post-2005 DEA expulsion efforts, citing arrests, dismantled networks, and border and coastal control.
Maduro added he is open to discussing oil and migration with the United States in addition to anti-drug cooperation.
He delivered the remarks in a Telegram-broadcast interview with Ignacio Ramonet in Buenos Aires, and no U.S. response or formal talks have been reported.