Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, called for dialogue and "coexistence" with the United States in a statement released Sunday night, a marked shift in tone from her previous accusations against the Trump administration. The statement, posted on social media, extended "an invitation to the U.S. government to work together on a cooperative agenda, oriented toward shared development, within the framework of international law, and to strengthen lasting community coexistence."

Rodríguez's conciliatory message came a day after she delivered a speech condemning the Trump administration for what she described as the illegal kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela's head of state. Maduro was taken out of the country by force on Saturday, according to reports, prompting Rodríguez, the former vice president, to initially refuse to acknowledge her ascension to the presidency. She had maintained that Maduro was the country's only president.

The circumstances surrounding Maduro's removal remain unclear, but President Trump announced at a news conference Saturday that Rodríguez had spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and agreed to cooperate in a transition. The U.S. government has not yet formally responded to Rodríguez's offer of dialogue.

Venezuela has been mired in a deep political and economic crisis for years, marked by hyperinflation, shortages of essential goods, and widespread emigration. The country's political landscape is deeply polarized, with Maduro's socialist government facing strong opposition from within and abroad. The United States has long been critical of Maduro's administration, imposing sanctions and recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country's legitimate president in 2019.

The potential for dialogue between Venezuela and the United States could signal a significant shift in relations, offering a possible path toward resolving the ongoing crisis. However, analysts caution that significant obstacles remain, including deep-seated mistrust and conflicting political agendas. The international community is closely watching developments in Venezuela, with many countries urging a peaceful and democratic resolution to the crisis. The future of Venezuela and its relationship with the United States remains uncertain.