Trump hails Venezuela as ‘new friend, partner’

The U.S. President, Donald Trump on Wednesday described Venezuela as a “new friend and partner” following the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro early this year.

Speaking during his State of the Union address, Trump called Maduro’s detention a “colossal victory” for U.S. security, saying it marked the beginning of a “bright new chapter” for the Venezuelan people.

U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas on Jan. 3.

They were subsequently taken to New York and charged with drug-related offenses.

Trump said Washington was working closely with Venezuela’s acting President, Delcy Rodríguez, to strengthen economic ties.

He claimed the U.S, had already received more than 80 million barrels of oil from the oil-rich South American nation.

Rodríguez, who previously served as vice-president under Maduro, assumed leadership following the U.S. intervention.

She emerged as a key interlocutor in negotiations over Venezuela’s energy resources, as Washington seeks to expand access to the country’s vast oil reserves.