Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said he had a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump amid escalating tensions over U.S. sanctions and regional security, portraying the exchange as amicable.

"If that call means that steps are being taken toward a respectful dialogue from state to state, from country to country, welcome dialogue, welcome diplomacy. Because we will always seek peace!" Maduro said in Spanish.

While Trump confirmed that the two spoke, he did not give details of their discussion.

Why It Matters

The call comes as Trump has continued escalating military pressure on Venezuela with Caribbean boat strikes and airspace restrictions . Maduro, meanwhile, faces mounting pressure over his potential departure from office amid U.S. accusations of links to narcotrafficking

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