Venezuela Willing Normalize Relations with US – Says President

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro affirmed that he is willing to work towards normalizing ties with the US in spite of the continued sanctions crippling his country.

In an interview broadcast Sunday, Maduro said: "Venezuela is ready, totally ready, to take steps towards a process of normalization of diplomatic, consular and political relations with the current administration of the US and with administrations to come."

The president’s remarks came days after the South American country's opposition voted to dissolve an "interim government" led by Juan Guaido.

Guaido had been recognized by many countries, including the US, as Venezuela's legitimate leader following the disputed 2018 elections.

The Biden administration maintained a policy of not formally recognizing the Maduro government. However, Washington sent delegates last year to Caracas in order to meet with him and negotiate prisoner exchanges, among other topics.

"We are prepared for dialogue at the highest level, for relations of respect, and I wish a beam of light would come to the United States of America, they would turn the page and leave their extremist policy aside and come to more pragmatic policies with respect to Venezuela," Maduro asserted.