Maduro accuses Trump of ordering his assassination

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused U.S. President Donald Trump of ordering his assassination while Russia called on Wednesday for mediation in a standoff deepening geopolitical splits.

Maduro, facing the biggest challenge to his rule since replacing Hugo Chavez six years ago, said Trump had ordered neighboring Colombia to murder him in an interview with Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

"Donald Trump has without doubt given an order to kill me and has told the government of Colombia and the Colombian mafia to kill me," Maduro said, reprising a constant accusation of his and Chavez's over the years.

Bogota and Washington have routinely denied the accusation.

In an early morning tweet, Trump on Wednesday warned U.S. citizens against traveling to Venezuela amid the political crisis there over control of the government, as the U.S. and other nations have recognized Venezuelan President Maduro's rival Juan Guiado.

Twitter screeshot

Maduro: Ready for talks with opposition

Maduro said he is prepared to hold negotiations with the U.S.-backed opposition and added he would support early parliamentary elections, he made the remarks during an interview with RIA Novosti.

"I am ready to sit down at the negotiating table with the opposition so that we could talk for the good of Venezuela," Maduro said in the interview.

Last week the oil-rich but economically devastated Latin American country was plunged into uncertainty when the U.S.-backed opposition leader Guaido proclaimed himself "acting president."

The U.S., a dozen Latin American countries and Canada have recognized Guaido as interim president, while China and Russia have urged non-interference.

In the interview with RIA Novosti, Maduro also said he would support early parliamentary elections.

"It would be very good to conduct parliamentary elections at an earlier stage, it would be a good form of political discussion," Maduro said.

At the same time, he dismissed the possibility of holding a new presidential poll any time soon.

"Presidential elections in Venezuela have taken place, and if imperialists want new elections let them wait until 2025," he said in an apparent reference to Washington.

Opposition leader Guaido, on the other side, called on the European Union (EU) Wednesday to level "more sanctions" against Maduro's government, in an interview with German daily Bild.

Maduro has been in charge since 2013 but his re-election in May was branded illegitimate by the EU, the U.S., and Organization of American States. The embattled leader also implied he was firmly in charge of the army whose support is crucial.

"I am carrying out my duties as commander-in-chief according to the Constitution consolidating the national Bolivarian armed forces," he said. "And the Bolivarian armed forces are demonstrating a lesson in ethics, loyalty and discipline."

'Childish U.S. government'

With handwritten notes on a legal pad, National Security Adviser John Bolton listens to questions from reporters during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, January 28, 2019. /VCG Photo‍

Maduro also criticized the U.S. government as "childish" in conducting its foreign policy after U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton's notepad with words "5,000 (sic) troops to Colombia" evoked concerns.

"This is a childish way to direct foreign policy from the White House," Maduro said as he led military exercises at an air force base in the north-central Venezuelan state of Aragua amid heightened tensions between the two countries.

Bolton, while announcing a new round of sanctions against Venezuela and its state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) at a press conference Monday, carried a notepad under his arm with the words scribbled on the top of a largely blank page.

U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo all issued statements proclaiming U.S. recognition of Guaido and saying the U.S. would take all diplomatic and economic measures necessary to support a transition to a new government.

Negotiations on international mediation in connection with the situation in Venezuela are underway, the issue can be resolved in the coming hours, Maduro added in the interview.

(With inputs from agencies)