Maduro claims to want 'new type of relationship' with US in interview
Maduro appears to be looking for an end to the political stalemate in his country. Some 50 countries including the United States consider Maduro a usurper and recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's legitimate leader.
In early 2019, Guaido invoked the country's constitution to declare himself the head of Congress and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro illegitimate.
US sanctions are isolating the country's economy which has already been badly battered by years of mismanagement and corruption.
"If there’s respect between governments, no matter how big the United States is, and if there’s a dialogue, an exchange of truthful information, then be sure we can create a new type of relationship,” Maduro said in the rare interview with a US media outlet.
"A relationship of respect and dialogue brings a win-win situation. A confrontational relationship brings a lose-lose situation. That’s the formula," he was quoted as saying by the Post.
There is no sign that the US or its core allies, including Europeans, are willing to change their stance that Maduro must vacate the presidency.
Maduro has accused the US of trying to overthrow him, including through an internal coup plot.
Colombian President Ivan Duque welcomed Guaido to Bogota on Sunday, saying that he would participate in a regional counter-terrorism conference on Monday.
"We welcome the President of Venezuela @jguaido to Colombia. This afternoon we will hold a work meeting. Likewise, President @jguaido will participate, this Monday, in the [counter-terrorism conference]," Duque said on Twitter.
The last time Guaido left Venezuela, defying a court-ordered travel ban, was nearly a year ago, when he crossed the border in order to support a US-backed effort to transport aid into the country.
Local media reported that Guaido was also set to meet with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Bogota, but there has been no official confirmation of such a meeting from Washington.
Pompeo is currently in Berlin to participate in a conference aimed at resolving the Libya conflict. On Monday, he will travel to Colombia before continuing on to Costa Rica, Jamaica and Florida, according to the State Department.
