Maduro spoke to Trump on the phone, describing the call as "respectful and cordial"

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has confirmed that he spoke on the phone with US President Donald Trump about ten days ago. He described the call as 'respectful and cordial'.

"If this call means steps towards a respectful dialogue between our countries, dialogue is welcome, diplomacy is welcome," Maduro said during a presidential event that was broadcast live on television.

Reuters reported earlier that Maduro had expressed willingness to leave Venezuela if he and his family were granted a full amnesty, including the lifting of US sanctions and an end to the case before the International Criminal Court.

The phone call followed months of US pressure on Venezuela, which included attacks on ships suspected of drug smuggling, threats of military action and the designation of the Cartel de los Soles group as a foreign terrorist organisation.

(reuters, sie)