Consisting, Maduro Sends A Letter To Trump Invites Direct Dialogue

JAKARTA - The Venezuelan government has confirmed that President Nicolas Maduro has sent a letter to US President Donald Trump proposing a direct dialogue between the two countries.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced on her Telegram account that Maduro sent the letter via Trump's special envoy, Richard Grenell, expressing his desire to speak directly with the US president.

In the letter dated September 6, Maduro denied his government's accusations related to "mafi mafia networks and drug trafficking", and called the allegations "completely baseless" and "false news" that endangered bilateral relations between the two countries.

The letter also denied Venezuela's report refusing to accept the return of deported migrants, stressing the news was not true.

"This problem has been resolved and clarified during discussions with Richard Grenell. This communication channel is functioning perfectly without any problems until now," Maduro said in the letter as reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, September 22.

Maduro underlined Venezuela's track record in fighting narcotics, insisting the country was "free from drug production."

"According to UN data, only five percent of drugs originating from Colombia are transiting through Venezuela.

"This year alone, we have neutralized more than 70 percent of the small percentage (five percent) trying to cross our border with Colombia which is more than 2,200 kilometers long; this is a very important number," he said.

"These figures underscore Venezuela's unspoiled performance in fighting international drug trafficking, a fact recognized by all relevant international institutions and agencies," the letter continued.

"The Venezuelan army has destroyed 402 aircraft related to drug smuggling. This and other issues will always be open to direct and open discussions with your special envoy, Grenell, so that we can overcome the boisterous news of the media and fake news," the contents of the letter explained.

Meanwhile, President Trump declined to comment directly when asked about the letter and reports of Venezuela's call for negotiations, he simply said: "We'll see what happens to Venezuela."

Trump neither confirmed nor denied whether he had received the letter.