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Trump says he's willing to meet Maduro as Venezuela leader arrives in New York Trump says he's willing to meet Maduro as Venezuela leader arrives in New York
(about 1 hour later)
Donald Trump has said he is willing to meet Nicolás Maduro if it would help ease suffering in Venezuela.Donald Trump has said he is willing to meet Nicolás Maduro if it would help ease suffering in Venezuela.
Trump’s remarks as he arrived for meetings at the United Nations came just hours before Maduro arrived at the last minute in New York to deliver his speech to the general assembly. He had earlier threatened to skip the summit.Trump’s remarks as he arrived for meetings at the United Nations came just hours before Maduro arrived at the last minute in New York to deliver his speech to the general assembly. He had earlier threatened to skip the summit.
“I’m willing to meet with anybody anytime I can [to] save lives, help people,” Trump said as he was asked whether the US would ever intervene military to remove Maduro. “I’m willing to meet with anybody anytime I can [to] save lives, help people,” Trump said as he was asked whether the US would ever intervene militarily to remove Maduro.
Later on Wednesday, Maduro tweeted that he had arrived in New York to address the general assembly. “I bring the voice of my people, I come charged with patriotic passion to defend the truth,” he said.Later on Wednesday, Maduro tweeted that he had arrived in New York to address the general assembly. “I bring the voice of my people, I come charged with patriotic passion to defend the truth,” he said.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders later said that no meeting with Maduro was planned.White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders later said that no meeting with Maduro was planned.
Trump’s comments came just a day after Trump suggested Maduro could easily be toppled in a military coup, echoing comments first floated last year that some sort of “military solution” may be needed to restore Venezuela’s democracy.Trump’s comments came just a day after Trump suggested Maduro could easily be toppled in a military coup, echoing comments first floated last year that some sort of “military solution” may be needed to restore Venezuela’s democracy.
Earlier on Tuesday, the US imposed financial sanctions on four members of Maduro’s inner circle, including his wife and the nation’s vice-president, on allegations of corruption.Earlier on Tuesday, the US imposed financial sanctions on four members of Maduro’s inner circle, including his wife and the nation’s vice-president, on allegations of corruption.
Maduro has been seeking a meeting with Trump for almost two years and has watched with frustration as the US leader has talked with American adversaries such as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian president Vladimir Putin while shunning Venezuelan entreaties.Maduro has been seeking a meeting with Trump for almost two years and has watched with frustration as the US leader has talked with American adversaries such as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian president Vladimir Putin while shunning Venezuelan entreaties.
Citgo, a subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, was a major corporate donor to Trump’s inaugural committee. Maduro also this year freed a former Utah missionary jailed for more than two years on weapons charges in a bid to draw close to the White House.Citgo, a subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, was a major corporate donor to Trump’s inaugural committee. Maduro also this year freed a former Utah missionary jailed for more than two years on weapons charges in a bid to draw close to the White House.
Maduro is the president of Venezuela. He served as the interim president upon the death of Hugo Chávez in March 2013, and won a hastily arranged general election in April 2013, narrowly defeating opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.Maduro is the president of Venezuela. He served as the interim president upon the death of Hugo Chávez in March 2013, and won a hastily arranged general election in April 2013, narrowly defeating opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.
Maduro was previously a bus driver and trade union leader. He was elected to the national assembly in 2000 and was appointed to a number of government positions by Chávez, including foreign ministerMaduro was previously a bus driver and trade union leader. He was elected to the national assembly in 2000 and was appointed to a number of government positions by Chávez, including foreign minister
The president, who lacks the charisma of his predecessor, has seen his approval ratings plunge amid widespread food shortages and triple-digit inflation. He stands accused of authoritarianism over his crackdowns on protests and attempts to shut off opposition paths to power. He claims he is the target of a US-backed economic war aimed at removing socialist control over the world's biggest oil resourcesThe president, who lacks the charisma of his predecessor, has seen his approval ratings plunge amid widespread food shortages and triple-digit inflation. He stands accused of authoritarianism over his crackdowns on protests and attempts to shut off opposition paths to power. He claims he is the target of a US-backed economic war aimed at removing socialist control over the world's biggest oil resources
But his desire for some sort of reconciliation with the US has increased as international pressure has been building on his socialist government at a time of hyperinflation and widespread food and medicine shortages.But his desire for some sort of reconciliation with the US has increased as international pressure has been building on his socialist government at a time of hyperinflation and widespread food and medicine shortages.
On Wednesday, presidents from several conservative Latin American governments are expected to meet in New York to sign a complaint with the International Criminal Court asking it to investigate Maduro on charges of crimes against humanity.On Wednesday, presidents from several conservative Latin American governments are expected to meet in New York to sign a complaint with the International Criminal Court asking it to investigate Maduro on charges of crimes against humanity.
Maduro has not attended the UN general assembly since 2015 and said last week he may have to suspend his participation this year out of concerns his opponents would try to kill him if he travels abroad.Maduro has not attended the UN general assembly since 2015 and said last week he may have to suspend his participation this year out of concerns his opponents would try to kill him if he travels abroad.
Maduro is probably on the plane from Caracas to NY after hearing this. Dream come true. https://t.co/aAyyDqafmyMaduro is probably on the plane from Caracas to NY after hearing this. Dream come true. https://t.co/aAyyDqafmy
Trump said on Wednesday that all US options are on the table to help end the political, economic and humanitarian chaos in Venezuela – even the “strong ones”.Trump said on Wednesday that all US options are on the table to help end the political, economic and humanitarian chaos in Venezuela – even the “strong ones”.
“I just want to see Venezuela straightened out. I want the people to be safe. We’re going to take care of Venezuela,” he said, calling Venezuela’s situation a “disgrace”.“I just want to see Venezuela straightened out. I want the people to be safe. We’re going to take care of Venezuela,” he said, calling Venezuela’s situation a “disgrace”.
“If he [Maduro] is here and he wants to meet – it was not on my mind, it was not on my plate, but if I can help people, that’s what I’m here for,” he added.“If he [Maduro] is here and he wants to meet – it was not on my mind, it was not on my plate, but if I can help people, that’s what I’m here for,” he added.
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
Nicolás MaduroNicolás Maduro
United NationsUnited Nations
VenezuelaVenezuela
AmericasAmericas
US foreign policyUS foreign policy
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