Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro wrote to President Donald Trump a few days after the US strike on a US drug ship, offering to meet in person with special envoy Richard Grenell.
In his letter, shared by Venezuelan Vice President Delsy Rodriguez in a telegram and confirmed to CNN by US sources with knowledge of the matter, Maduro mentions “fake news that has been propagated through various media channels” and denis calling the allegations “providing participation in conversations with special Envoy with Frank” “fake news.”
The letter signed by Maduro is dated September 6th, four days after the US strike killed 11 Venezuelans on a boat.
The US last week launched more strikes against speedboats, raising the total death toll to more than 12 drug traffickers, but the White House has not provided conclusive evidence or intelligence report data confirming that those killed are criminals.
Trump on Sunday refused to confirm that he received Maduro’s letter and told reporters he “see what happens in Venezuela.”
Both Grenell representatives and Venezuelan government spokespersons declined to comment on the letter.
The Trump administration accused Maduro, one of the world’s biggest narcotic traffic, and of working with the cartel to kill fentanyl-covered cocaine to the United States. In August, his arrest doubled to $50 million.
With rising tensions between the two countries, we have seen the US deploy warships in the region on what it says is its mission to combat drug trafficking, but Maduro argues it is an effort to change government.
Venezuela responded by launching military exercises and displaying Russian-built fighter jets. It also claims it has mobilized millions of militias.
In his letter, Maduro says he is sending what he calls “convincing data on drug production and drug trafficking… indicating that Venezuela is a territory without drug production.”
“President, I encourage you to invite with respect and promote peace through constructive dialogue and mutual understanding across the hemisphere,” Maduro says in the letter.
Grenell, a former US German ambassador, met with Maduro and several times this year, securing the release of US citizens who were mistakenly detained in Venezuela in exchange for the hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants the White House had previously sent to El Salvador.
On Tuesday, Grenell openly called for a break-up to the conflict, saying he believes the US and Venezuela “still can make a deal” to avoid the war.
