In a surprising diplomatic event, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has said he had a direct phone call with US President Donald Trump. Maduro announced this on Wednesday, saying the conversation happened about ten days earlier. He described the talk as respectful and friendly. This is a rare moment of high-level contact between the two governments, which have had a very difficult relationship for years. It makes people wonder if they are moving from confrontation to careful dialogue.
The background to this call is a period of major disagreement and regional tension. The United States has not accepted Maduro as president since his 2018 re-election, which many countries saw as unfair. Instead, the US supports opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's legitimate leader. The US has placed strong economic sanctions on Venezuela to pressure Maduro. Recently, a larger US naval presence in the Caribbean increased fears of possible military conflict.
Maduro revealed the call during a speech on state television. He said he wanted to stop media rumors and avoid what he called "microphone diplomacy." He said he prefers to handle important matters quietly. "I don’t like diplomacy with microphones; when there are important matters, they must be handled quietly until they are resolved!" Maduro stated. President Trump had already confirmed the call last Sunday, but neither leader has shared what they discussed.
Experts are watching to see if this could reduce tensions. Maduro was positive, saying he hopes it starts a new time of "respectful dialogue." However, the deep political differences between the two countries remain. The US still wants a political change in Venezuela. The call might be a temporary pause or an attempt to explore possibilities, not a major change in strategy. It could also help Maduro appear more legitimate internationally.
The simple fact that the call happened is significant. After years of insults and threats, a direct line between the presidents is a new and unpredictable element. It is not clear yet if this is a real chance for negotiation or just a short diplomatic gesture. Other countries, especially in the region, will likely be happy to see any communication that lowers the risk of conflict. But without real steps to build trust or compromise, this friendly call may just be a curious event, not a true turning point.