The BareStory
Colombian President Gustavo Petro held his first telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The call lasted 55 minutes and focused on the destabilized situation in Venezuela, with Petro expressing hope that ongoing dialogue could prevent a broader conflict. According to the Colombian leader, he has been invited to the White House for a future meeting.
During the conversation, Petro reportedly spent 40 minutes detailing Colombia's efforts in seizing illegal drugs, arguing that the U.S. is unaware of his country's successes. Regarding Venezuela, Petro stated his belief that Trump supports a form of shared governance between the current regime and the opposition, though he also claimed Trump expressed an interest in controlling Venezuela's oil reserves. Petro has invited Delcy Rodriguez, who is serving as Venezuela's acting president following Maduro's detention, to his presidential palace, though he clarified he does not intend to mediate between her and the U.S. president.
The two leaders also discussed Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado. While Machado has declared readiness to lead the country and praised the U.S. operation, Petro claimed that both he and Trump expressed distrust in her. According to Petro, Trump stated he did not believe Machado possessed sufficient support to be a viable leader. This contrasts with other reports indicating Machado held over 90% support within the opposition ahead of last year's election, from which she was blocked by the Maduro regime.
Maduro and his wife remain in U.S. custody and have pleaded not guilty. In the wake of the capture, the U.S. has ordered a blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers, seizing multiple vessels, while armed militias have been reported patrolling Caracas.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
The enforcement of a blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers and reported U.S. interest in oil reserves may influence energy supplies and fuel prices for American consumers.
High-level discussions regarding Colombia's drug seizure operations could lead to shifts in strategy concerning the flow of illegal narcotics into U.S. communities.
Continued instability involving armed militias and U.S. seizures of foreign vessels may escalate regional tensions, potentially requiring increased American military or diplomatic involvement.
The presence of Nicolás Maduro in U.S. custody guarantees a complex federal legal process that will utilize taxpayer-funded judicial and security resources.
