Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro dropped a bombshell -- right before being nabbed by the Trump Administration on Friday-- claiming his regime is eager to sit down with the United States to hash out drug trafficking concerns.

In a bizarre interview setting—driving around Caracas with his wife and a minister in tow—Maduro laid out his stance on state television, addressing recent tensions with the Trump administration while pushing for talks and investment, Breitbart reported. 

This eyebrow-raising statement came during a “Pod-Car” chat with Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet, recorded just before the new year and aired on Venezuela’s state channel, VTV, on January 1.

Maduro's Bold Claims on Drug Policy

While cruising the capital, Maduro sported a red hat proclaiming “No War, Yes Peace,” a not-so-subtle jab at recent U.S. pressure, including a military strike on a Venezuelan drug facility announced by President Trump.

He insisted Venezuela has a “perfect” model for combating drugs, scoffing at American accusations tying him to the Cartel of the Suns, a group labeled a global terrorist entity by the U.S. in July.

Let’s not forget, this is the same Maduro with a $50 million bounty on his head from U.S. authorities for narco-terrorism charges—hardly the profile of a trustworthy negotiating partner.

Talks with Trump: Respectful or Just Talk?

Maduro revealed a single phone call with President Trump on November 21, describing it as “respectful” and even “pleasant,” a rare moment of civility amid heated relations.

“It was a conversation, as I said, respectful, very respectful,” Maduro stated, recalling the exchange from Miraflores Palace while Trump dialed in from the White House.

Yet, he quickly noted, “the developments after the conversation have not been pleasant,” hinting at a rapid souring of whatever goodwill might have existed.

Investment Pitch Amid Accusations

Not content with just drug talk, Maduro pitched Venezuela as open for American business, specifically name-dropping Chevron for oil sector investments on U.S. terms.

“If they want oil from Venezuela, Venezuela is ready for U.S. investments, such as with Chevron, whenever they want, wherever they want, and however they want,” he declared, painting a picture of a welcoming regime.

Coming from a leader accused of heading a criminal cartel, this offer sounds more like a desperate bid for legitimacy than a genuine olive branch—Chevron might want to read the fine print.

Skepticism on Maduro's True Intentions

Maduro also accused the U.S. of plotting an invasion to topple him and plunder Venezuelan resources, framing American policy as driven by “threats, intimidation and force.”

While his paranoia about U.S. intentions might resonate with some, it’s tough to take seriously when his own track record includes dodging questions about that recent American strike on a drug hub.

Between the narco-terrorism charges and the “maximum pressure” campaign from the Trump administration, Maduro’s sudden diplomacy push feels less like statesmanship and more like a cornered leader grasping for leverage—conservative values of law and order demand skepticism here, though we should remain open to dialogue if it truly curbs the drug scourge affecting both nations.