Venezuela - US Agree to Cooperation to Eradicate Drug Trafficking

JAKARTA - Venezuela and the United States have agreed to begin bilateral cooperation to combat drug trafficking and address migration issues following a visit by the US Southern Command Chief, General Francis Donovan.

"In 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 Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information, Miguel Angel Perez Pirela, on the X platform on Thursday, February 19, reported by ANTARA from Sputnik.

On Wednesday (18/2), Donovan met with the interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, as well as the Ministers of the Interior, Justice, and Peace Diosdado Cabello.

"This meeting confirms that the diplomatic channel must be the mechanism to resolve differences and discuss topics of bilateral and regional interest for all parties," said Delcy Rodriguez,

The US Southern Command announced on Wednesday Donovan's visit to Venezuela and negotiations with the country's authorities, where the security situation and regional stability issues were also discussed.

On January 3, the US launched a massive attack on Venezuela by arresting President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and then bringing them to New York. According to US authorities, the two are suspected of being involved in a "narco-terrorism" case.

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

Regarding the US operation, Caracas requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN). The Supreme Court of Venezuela then assigned Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to temporarily carry out the duties as head of state.

On January 5, Rodriguez officially took office as Venezuela's interim president and took the oath of office before the National Assembly.