Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has firmly rejected what he describes as United States attempts to turn Venezuela into a "colony" and seize its natural resources, while expressing openness to dialogue if conducted on a basis of mutual respect. In a televised address on state channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV) on Friday, December 26, 2025, Maduro urged American politicians to abandon 25 years of "failed" interventionist policies toward his country.
Maduro stated that if US officials are prepared for respectful engagement, "we will always find here a president who represents his people, to reach out, to seek paths to peace, cooperation and prosperity." However, he emphasized that Venezuela would never accept fabricated narratives from Washington. "It is impossible for the US government to fabricate such a virtual reality," Maduro said in English during the broadcast, asserting that the Venezuelan people have proven their capacity "to lead the country on the right path."
The speech comes amid escalating bilateral tensions under the second Trump administration, marked by US naval deployments in the Caribbean, strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels, seizures of Venezuelan oil tankers, and threats of further action against Maduro's government—accused by Washington of links to narcotics and corruption. Maduro and allies portray these as pretexts for regime change and resource appropriation, given Venezuela's vast oil reserves.
Maduro's remarks echo earlier statements throughout December 2025, where he repeatedly declared that US plans for colonial domination "will simply never happen." He has accused Washington of pursuing a "warmongering and colonialist pretense" to install a puppet regime that would surrender sovereignty.
The offer of dialogue aligns with Maduro's past comments on potential talks, provided they respect equality and non-interference. Despite the rhetoric, no direct high-level contacts have been confirmed recently, though Maduro has referenced prudence in handling sensitive matters.
Critics of Maduro, including opposition figures and international observers, view his defiance as deflection from domestic crises, including economic collapse and contested elections. The US and many nations do not recognize Maduro's legitimacy following disputed 2024 polls.
As 2025 ends, Maduro's address reinforces Venezuela's stance of resistance while leaving a narrow door open for de-escalation, amid fears of prolonged confrontation impacting regional stability and global energy markets.
