Venezuela’s interim president calls for peaceful cooperation amid Trump’s military threats

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez invited the U.S. government to work on a cooperation agenda that guarantees “peaceful coexistence and mutual respect,” the Venezuelan news agency reported on Sunday.

In a message on her Telegram channel addressed to the world and the United States government, Rodríguez said global peace “can only be built by first guaranteeing peace in each nation,” adding that moving towards a “balanced and respectful” relationship between the United States and Venezuela is considered a priority.

“We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation oriented towards shared development within the framework of international law to strengthen lasting community coexistence,” Rodriguez said.

“President Donald Trump, our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war. This has always been President Nicolás Maduro’s message, and it is the message of all of Venezuela right now. This is the Venezuela I believe in and have dedicated my life to. I dream of a Venezuela where all good Venezuelans can come together,” she added.

Rodríguez, moreover, expressed commitment to building a “strong and united nation,” noting that Venezuela has the right to peace and sovereignty.

These statements came after U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that he could order another strike if Venezuela does not cooperate.

Trump said he wants Rodriguez to give the U.S. and private companies “total access” to Venezuela’s beleaguered oil infrastructure, as well as roads and bridges that are in disrepair.

Oil companies will return to Venezuela and “spend billions of dollars and they’re going to take the oil out of the ground,” he said.

The remarks by Trump came on the eve of Maduro’s scheduled appearance on Monday before a federal judge in New York.