CARACAS: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has expressed willingness to hold dialogue with the United States on the basis of mutual respect, provided that the United States gives up interference in Venezuela.
In a televised speech on Friday (local time), Maduro said that if the US side is willing to engage in dialogue with Venezuela on the basis of mutual respect and abandon its failed attempts to interfere in Venezuela over the past 25 years, he will welcome it and seek a path toward peace, cooperation and prosperity.
The president also criticised the United States for its sustained smear campaigns against the Venezuelan government, its destabilising efforts in Venezuela, and its attempts to overthrow the leadership, reports Xinhua news agency.
He called on the US media to report the real situation of Venezuela after truly understanding the country.