Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Tuesday the Trump administration is trying to start a war in South America, calling on President Trump to “fix” his policy toward Venezuela.
His remarks came during an interview with ABC News — the first television appearance he’s given an American network in years.
The embattled leader said he is open to dialogue with the U.S., but denied his government is responsible for the death of hundreds of Venezuelans.
“They are trying to fabricate a crisis to justify political escalation and a military intervention in Venezuela to bring a war to South America,” Mr. Maduro told ABC News.
“The extremist Ku Klux Klan government that Donald Trump directs wants a war over oil,” he added.
The U.S. — along with about four dozen countries — no longer recognize Mr. Maduro as president. Instead, they see Juan Guaidó, the opposition leader, as the country’s new president.
Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Bogota Monday to tell Mr. Guaidó the U.S. is “with you 100 percent.”
Mr. Pence said the U.S. will impose increased sanctions against the Maduro government and provide more than $50 million in aid to the people of Venezuela.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
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