The Venezuelan government on Wednesday congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential elections, while President Nicolas Maduro later described Trump’s re-election as a “new beginning” for bilateral relations.
Relations between Maduro and Trump are historically tense. During his first term, Trump imposed tougher sanctions on the South American country, especially on its key oil industry. Maduro severed ties in 2019.
The Biden administration briefly rolled back Trump-era restrictions on Maduro’s campaign promises, but has since reinstated them, saying tampering with Venezuela’s presidential election in July had stripped Maduro’s claims of victory of “any credibility” and that it was closely considering sanctions. Possible new. .
“Things did not go well for us in Donald Trump’s first government,” Maduro said in remarks broadcast on state television late Wednesday afternoon. “This is a new beginning for us to bet on a win-win for everyone.”