Marc Abear: Why would this time around be any different for relations with Venezuela

To The Daily Sun,

Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan dictator, said President-elect Donald Trump's victory in the United States elections is a “new beginning” for both nations. The U.S. and Venezuela have not had diplomatic relations since 2019 ... who was president then?

Maduro said on VTV “In President Donald Trump’s first government, things did not go well for us. This is a new beginning for us to bet on a win-win [relationship in which] things go well for the United States, and things go well for Venezuela.”

The communist dictator added that his regime is willing to work together with anyone who wants to invest in Venezuela. He’s urging “all Americans” to visit the South American country. He also said, after this “historic return,” Trump has the opportunity to end wars and allow respectful relations with Latin America.

Maduro said, “We advocate for sovereignty, independence, respect for our culture, our identity. The solutions for Latin America are in Latin America and the solutions for the future of Venezuela are in Venezuela...”

Maduro made these statements in the midst of bilateral tensions with the United States. Those tensions arose after Washington and the international community questioned the results of the July 28 Venezuelan elections. The Maduro controlled National Electoral Council proclaimed him the winner.

The Venezuelan election was highly contested. Trump won a resounding victory in the U.S. elections. Trump has an estimated 312 electoral votes compared to the 226 garnered by his rival.

There was no mention made of Venezuela’s efforts to annex a large part of Guyana, its gold and Maracaibo Basin holdings.

During his upcoming 2025-29 term, President-elect Trump will serve with Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as vice president. He will return to the Oval Office noon on Jan. 20. He is expected to take a dim view of Maduro’s actions.

Marc Abear

Meredith