US President-elect Donald Trump can finish wars, Venezuelan president believes
Nicolas Maduro expressed hope for improved relations between the two governments and recalled that "it was not all quiet" during the first Trump administration
CARACAS, November 7. /TASS/. Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election provides reason to hope that he can put an end to wars, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on the Con Maduro de Repente ("Suddenly with Maduro") radio program on Wednesday.
"I hope Trump will put an end to wars," Maduro said, congratulating Trump on his victory in the election and referring to his previous statements. "Venezuela has its own identity and history, and it shares values with the US people. According to one of these values, we say 'no' to war," Maduro noted.
During the election campaign, Trump promised to focus on US domestic development and put a stop to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Palestinian territories, the Venezuelan leader emphasized. He also noted that the US president-elect now has a "golden opportunity to achieve peace and strengthen relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries."
Maduro expressed hope for improved relations between the two governments and recalled that "it was not all quiet" during the first Trump administration. "This is a fresh start <...>, Venezuela is open to cooperation with any country that respects our identity," he added. "We must begin a win-win relationship to change the course of history," the president emphasized.
Venezuela does not maintain diplomatic relations with the US at present. Caracas severed the countries' relations on January 23, 2019, after the US administration recognized Juan Guaido as the republic's interim president. The US and its allies have unilaterally imposed over 930 restrictive measures against Venezuela.