Maduro Confirms "Respectful" Call with Trump Amid Military Tensions

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro confirmed a direct phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday. He described the exchange as "respectful" and even "cordial." The call occurred amid rising tensions over a U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean near Venezuela. President Trump had first acknowledged the conversation over the weekend but did not comment on its tone or results. Maduro's characterization contrasts with the typically hostile rhetoric between the two governments. The U.S. has led a campaign to remove Maduro from power, recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's legitimate president.