Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro indicated Monday that he is open to direct talks with the Trump administration, calling for diplomacy instead of confrontation as the U.S. Navy's most advanced aircraft carrier joined almost a dozen other American warships off his country's shores in a tense standoff.

The administration accuses Maduro of facilitating drug trafficking into the United States, but the Venezuelan leader says the U.S. is trying to overthrow him.

"Those who want to speak with Venezuela will speak," Maduro said in Spanish, adding in English: "Face-to-face."

The Venezuelan leader made the remarks on his television program, which aired in Venezuela on Monday. He was asked by an interviewer about reports that President Trump was considering speaking with him.

Venezuelan Presid

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