Venezuela’s Maduro claims Donald Trump has ordered local mafia to murder him as he’s forced to agree to talks with US-backed opposition
VENEZEUELA's embattled dictator Nicolas Maduro has claimed Donald Trump ordered the mafia to murder him.
He made the astonishing claim as he caved into pressure to hold talks with opposition figurehead Juan Guaido - who is backed by Trump and others as interim leader after months of chaos.
Maduro said today he was aware of President Trump's "orders" for the Colombian government and the local mafia to assassinate him.
In an interview with Russian state-owned RIA Novosti news agency, Maduro said: "Donald Trump gave the order to kill me, told the Colombian government, the Colombian mafia to kill me.
"If something happens to me once, Donald Trump and Colombian President Ivan Duque will be responsible for everything what happens to me."
In the same interview Maduro also said he was willing to negotiate with the opposition.
He said: "I'm willing to sit down for talks with the opposition so that we could talk for the sake of Venezuela's peace and its future."
Violent street demonstrations erupted last week after assembly president Juan Guaido declared at a rally in Caracas that he had assumed presidential powers under the constitution and planned to hold fresh elections to end Maduro's "dictatorship."
OPEN TO TALK
Guaido called for snap presidential elections, arguing that Maduro fraudulently won a second term last year.
On Tuesday, he urged Venezuelans to step outside their homes and workplaces for two hours on Wednesday in the first mass mobilisation since last week's big protests.
Maduro had previously rejected calls to hold fresh elections, saying it amounted to blackmail and that the countries calling for them must wait until 2025.
But now the President has said talks could be held with mediation of other countries.
He mentioned Mexico, Uruguay, Bolivia, the Vatican and Russia.
Russia has been one of Maduro's staunchest supporters, providing it with loans and weapons.
I'm willing to sit down for talks with the opposition so that we could talk for the sake of Venezuela's peace and its future.
President Maduro
A top Russian official said on Tuesday that there are expecting "problems" ahead of an upcoming payment on Russia's $3 billion loan.
Maduro has seen his country plunge into disarray and the United States has imposed sanctions, labelling him a "dictator".
His government’s answer to the crisis, which has escalated since his mentor’s death, has been simply to print more money.
Venezuela now prints four times more cash than it collects from sales and all taxes, including VAT and income tax.
On January 23 Trump recognised Juan Guaidó as the new head of state after he declared it himself.
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Seven South American countries and Canada backed Trump's recognition.
The threat of a US invasion of Venezuela to oust Maduro was raised after Trump's security adviser flashed a note about sending "5,000 troops to Colombia".
John Bolton said President Trump is leaving open the possibility of military intervention to protect the country's opposition leader Juan Guaido.
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