Maduro Signals Willingness to Negotiate Drug and Oil Deals with U.S. Amid Military Pressure
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced on January 2, 2026, that his government is prepared to enter negotiations with the United States to address drug trafficking and oil trade, following months of intensified U.S. military pressure. The declaration came in a pre-recorded interview aired on Venezuelan state television with Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet, marking a potential thaw in the fraught relations between the two nations.
Maduro emphasized Venezuela’s readiness to discuss a formal drug-trafficking agreement, stating, “The U.S. government knows, because we’ve told many of their spokespeople, that if they want to seriously discuss an agreement to combat drug trafficking, we’re ready.” He further extended an invitation for U.S. investment in Venezuela’s oil sector, highlighting Chevron Corp. as the sole major American oil company currently exporting Venezuelan crude to the United States. “If they want oil, Venezuela is ready for U.S. investment, like with Chevron, whenever they want it, wherever they want it and however they want it,” Maduro said.
This offer arrives amid a backdrop of heightened tensions, as the Trump administration designated Maduro’s regime a terrorist organization and imposed a total oil blockade, escalating a campaign of what officials have described as “maximum pressure 2.0.” Since August 2025, the U.S. has conducted a series of military operations targeting vessels linked to narcotics trafficking networks allegedly connected to the Venezuelan government. The Department of Defense confirmed a recent kinetic strike on December 31, 2025, that killed eight individuals aboard narcotics-trafficking vessels in the Eastern Pacific, part of a broader effort by U.S. Southern Command to disrupt narcotics flows.
President Trump acknowledged a strike on a Venezuelan port used for drug trafficking but did not specify whether the operation was conducted by the military or an intelligence agency such as the CIA. Since the campaign began in early September, at least 114 people have died in strikes against vessels accused of narcotics trafficking, underscoring the campaign’s intensity.
Maduro accused the U.S. of seeking regime change and control over Venezuela’s oil reserves through intimidation and force, saying, “It is clear the U.S. wants to impose themselves through threats, intimidation and force.” Despite this, the Venezuelan leader indicated a willingness to engage in dialogue, calling for serious talks “with data in hand.”
The U.S. Treasury Department and the Office of Foreign Assets Control have maintained sanctions targeting Venezuelan officials and entities tied to illicit activities, complicating diplomatic efforts. However, Maduro’s overture may signal an opening for negotiations, especially as the U.S. continues to pressure Venezuela’s oil exports.
Experts note that Venezuela’s economy, heavily reliant on oil revenues, has suffered under sanctions and blockades, and Maduro’s offer to welcome U.S. investment could be a strategic move to alleviate economic pressure. The potential for renewed cooperation on drug interdiction aligns with U.S. interests in curbing narcotics trafficking through the Caribbean and Latin America.
As the Biden administration and the U.S. Department of State continue to monitor developments, any formal talks would require navigating complex geopolitical and human rights concerns that have long defined U.S.-Venezuela relations. For now, Maduro’s announcement marks a notable shift amid a campaign that has brought military action and sanctions to the forefront of bilateral tensions.
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