Anti Nicolas Maduro regime demonstrators clash with protesters who gather outside a New York City courthouse on July 22, where the ousted Venezuelan president was to appear for a hearing. Venezuela's ousted president and his wife, Cilia Flores, are likely to be put on trial in mid-2027. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro voiced support from jail for a new round of negotiations between the government and the opposition, saying he welcomed "every path of dialogue that helps consolidate peace, coexistence and reconciliation among Venezuelans."
The message was published Sunday on Maduro's official Telegram account. The 63-year-old former leader issued the statement from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he has been held since U.S. authorities arrested him and his wife, Cilia Flores, in January 2026 on drug trafficking and weapons trafficking charges.
In the statement, Maduro called for August to become a month of "sincere dialogue," solidarity and achievements aimed at achieving a "national rebirth" based on mutual respect, inclusion and democratic coexistence.
His remarks came as representatives of Venezuela's government and opposition prepared to begin a new round of talks aimed at establishing a formal electoral timetable.
