CARACAS, Jan 24, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said
Saturday he was willing to “turn the page” with the US under President Joe
Biden, calling for a “new path” after years of tension with Donald Trump’s
White House.
“We are willing to walk a new path in our relations with Joe Biden’s
government based on mutual respect, dialogue, communication and
understanding,” the leftist leader told supporters, adding that he “is
willing to turn the page” with the new US administration.
The Trump administration had slapped multiple economic sanctions on
Venezuela, including an oil embargo in place since 2019, in an attempt to
overthrow the socialist regime of Maduro, whom the US has labeled a dictator.
After years of a frosty relationship Caracas and Washington fully broke
diplomatic ties on January 23, 2019, when the US government recognized
opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president.
After Biden won the US presidential election in November, Maduro
congratulated the longtime politician saying Venezuela was “ready for
dialogue and good understanding with the people and government of the United
States,” repeating those sentiments again in December.
Analysts believe the Biden administration will take a more moderate stance
on Venezuela and will support international mediation for the transition
towards a new government.
According to the UN, more than five million Venezuelans have left the
country since 2015, fleeing political and economic turmoil.