Caracas, Venezuela — President Nicolás Maduro expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with the United States regarding drug trafficking and oil on Thursday, marking a potential shift amid increasing pressure on his administration. In an interview broadcasted on Venezuelan state media, Maduro stated he is prepared for dialogue “wherever they want and whenever they want.”

The remarks come in the wake of heightened military operations by U.S. forces targeting vessels suspected of transporting illegal narcotics. Over the past three months, U.S. officials have conducted more than 30 strikes against these ships as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign against drug trafficking. The strikes have reportedly resulted in over 110 fatalities since operations began on September 2.

The latest military operation occurred on Wednesday, when two boats allegedly linked to drug smuggling were attacked, resulting in the deaths of five individuals on board. Just days prior, President Trump announced that U.S. forces had targeted a docking area in Venezuela associated with these alleged drug operations, claiming it caused a significant explosion.

Despite the escalation, Maduro did not directly confirm the specifics of the attack. When probed about the incident, he suggested that the topic could be addressed in future conversations, indicating a reluctance to escalate tensions publicly.

Maduro’s administration has faced intense scrutiny over allegations of drug smuggling, a charge he vehemently denies. He criticized U.S. claims, arguing that the narrative surrounding his government’s involvement in drug trafficking serves as a cover for efforts to destabilize Venezuela and seize its abundant oil reserves.

While Trump has intensified his focus on drugs, particularly fentanyl and cocaine, Maduro also highlighted a willingness to discuss issues related to oil and migration. The U.S. has increased financial rewards for information leading to Maduro’s capture and formally designated his government as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Experts in counternarcotics suggest that while Venezuela plays a role in regional drug trafficking, it primarily functions as a transit route rather than a major producer. Colombia, its neighbor, remains the world’s largest cocaine producer, with most of its exported drugs entering the U.S. through alternative pathways.

In recent remarks, Trump has alleged that Maduro is exacerbating the migrant crisis by releasing prisoners and mental health patients, thereby prompting their migration to the U.S. Since 2013, an estimated eight million Venezuelans have fled the country due to its economic turmoil and political repression, with many seeking refuge in the United States.

The Trump administration has also intensified its enforcement actions against sanctioned oil tankers related to Venezuela. In December, U.S. forces seized an oil tanker accused of transporting sanctioned oil from both Venezuela and Iran. Venezuelan officials condemned this action as “international piracy” and have attempted to refute ongoing U.S. claims regarding these operations.

Despite the U.S. asserting that it has intelligence confirming drug trafficking routes, legal experts have raised concerns about the legitimacy of these military operations. Critics note a lack of publicly available evidence linking the targeted vessels to drug smuggling, yet the U.S. Southern Command continues to assert that the vessels were involved in illegal activities.

As the tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela heighten, the possibility of dialogue may represent a crucial turning point, but it remains to be seen whether Maduro’s openness to discussions can bridge the growing divide.