• Venezuela's Maduro confirms a cordial phone call with Trump amid rising military tensions.
• The call was initiated by the White House and is viewed as a step towards diplomacy.
• US military operations in the region have raised concerns over a possible escalation of conflicts.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro confirmed that he spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump approximately 10 days ago, describing the conversation as “cordial” and conducted “in a tone of respect.” The call is seen as a potential step toward respectful dialogue between the two nations, which are currently facing heightened tensions. Maduro expressed optimism, stating, "If that call means that steps are being taken toward respectful dialogue between states, then dialogue is welcome," according to Al Jazeera and AA.

The call comes against a backdrop of increasing U.S. military presence in Latin America, including the deployment of warships and the world's largest aircraft carrier amid operations targeting alleged drug trafficking from Venezuela. Since August, the U.S. has reportedly carried out 21 strikes on vessels suspected of narcotics transportation, leading to numerous fatalities, according to South China Morning Post and AA.

Maduro asserted that the U.S. military campaign is not merely a fight against drug trafficking, but rather an effort to undermine his government and access Venezuela's oil resources. He emphasized that Venezuela desires peace but with “sovereignty, equality, and freedom,” echoing sentiments of resistance against perceived imperialism, as stated in Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

Trump briefly referenced the conversation during a press conference, confirming their discussion but withholding specific details, which included speculation about possible amnesty conditions for Maduro if he stepped down. Trump described the call in vague terms, stating, "I wouldn’t say it went well or badly. It was a phone call,” according to AA and South China Morning Post.