Venezuela's Maduro breaks silence about call with Trump: It was respectful and cordial'

"About 10 days ago, the White House called Miraflores Palace, and I had a conversation with President Donald Trump, Maduro began. It was respectful and cordial. If that call means that steps are being taken toward a respectful dialogue between our countries, then dialogue and diplomacy are welcome, he said live on television. Maduro, who thus broke his silence on the matter this Wednesday, emphasized that his years as foreign minister taught him to exercise prudence on important issues."

"The existence of this conversation was revealed by The New York Times, which viewed it as a step toward dialogue between the two leaders. Sources familiar with the conversation underscored to EL PAIS that the tone of the conversation between the two leaders was correct and that, as Maduro now suggests, it could be a first step toward continuing dialogue in a context of heightened tension."

"Chavismo had been withholding any information about this call for days, giving rise to endless speculation. The world press has been talking about that [the call]..., Maduro said, then warned: I like prudence. I don't like microphone diplomacy; when there are important matters, they must be handled quietly until they are resolved."

Maduro confirmed a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on November 21, describing the exchange as respectful and cordial. The White House had called Miraflores Palace about ten days earlier. Chavismo withheld information for days, prompting widespread speculation and international press attention. Maduro emphasized prudence and rejected microphone diplomacy, saying important matters should be handled quietly until resolved. The New York Times revealed the conversation and framed it as a potential step toward bilateral dialogue. Sources told EL PAIS the tone was correct and the call could be an initial move toward continued diplomatic engagement amid heightened tensions. Trump acknowledged the call and said he spoke briefly.

Read at english.elpais.com