Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez has affirmed the nation’s commitment to addressing what she termed “American aggression” through diplomatic channels. This follows the reported apprehension of former President Nicolas Maduro by US forces on January 3rd.
In a statement released yesterday, Rodriguez detailed an online meeting with Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The discussions centered around what Rodriguez described as a “grave, criminal, illegal, and illegitimate attack” perpetrated by US forces, leading to Maduro’s detention.
“I reiterated that Venezuela will continue to confront this aggression through diplomatic means,” Rodriguez stated. Her comments come at a time when both Washington and Caracas have expressed a desire to resume diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Rodriguez indicated that both parties are in agreement to proceed with an expanded bilateral cooperation program, one that emphasizes respect for sovereignty and open dialogue. This reflects Venezuela’s apparent shift towards resolving the ongoing crisis through diplomatic engagement and the potential reopening of the US embassy in Caracas.
These pronouncements follow a series of incidents involving oil shipments, including the return of seven oil tankers to avoid interception, and a joint US-Venezuelan operation to recover the tanker “Minerva.” These events unfolded amidst escalating US sanctions targeting oil smuggling.
The situation remains fluid, but Venezuela’s stated commitment to diplomacy suggests a potential pathway towards de-escalation and a re-establishment of communication between Caracas and Washington. The success of this approach hinges on mutual respect and a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue.
