Earlier this week, the presidents of the United States and Venezuela, Donald Trump and Nicolás Maduro, let slip the possibility of a meeting taking place between the two. “When necessary, I am ready to speak to Trump,” said Maduro. However, the U.S. president declared that he would only meet with the Venezuelan president “to negotiate his departure from power.” Maduro made no reference to Trump’s comment, but is expected to do so in the coming days.

At the same time, Maduro met with the opposition sector not aligned with Juan Guaidó to discuss the country’s political situation and the conduct of the legislative elections. “We are ready for the broadest possible political participation in the election of a new National Assembly,” said the president. As indicated in the Constitution, parliamentary elections will need to be held next December. However, Juan Guaidó and his allies are considering not participating following the controversy over the appointment of the members of the National Electoral Council last week.