Venezuela and US Agree to Cooperate on Combating Drug Trafficking

Mexico City (ANTARA) - Venezuela and the United States have agreed to commence bilateral cooperation to combat drug trafficking and address migration issues following a visit by the head of US Southern Command, General Francis Donovan.

“During the meeting, both countries agreed to work on developing a bilateral cooperation agenda to combat illegal drug trafficking in our region, migration, and other issues,” wrote Venezuela’s Minister of Communication and Information, Miguel Ángel Pérez Pirela, on the X platform on Thursday.

On Wednesday (18/2), Donovan met with Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez, Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López, and the Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello.

“This meeting affirms that diplomatic channels must serve as the mechanism for resolving differences and discussing topics of bilateral and regional interest for all parties,” said Delcy Rodríguez.

US Southern Command announced on Wednesday that Donovan had visited Venezuela and held talks with the country’s authorities, during which the security situation and regional stability issues were also discussed.

On 3 January, the US launched a major operation against Venezuela by apprehending President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, before transporting both to New York. According to US authorities, the pair were allegedly involved in “narco-terrorism” cases.

In a court hearing in New York, Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In response to the US operation, Caracas called for an emergency session of the United Nations. Venezuela’s Supreme Court subsequently tasked Vice President Delcy Rodríguez with temporarily assuming duties as head of state.

On 5 January, Rodríguez was officially inaugurated as Venezuela’s interim president and took the oath of office before the National Assembly.