Maduro’s stunt

From his government’s uncompromising position towards the United States, as it expelled a number of diplomats last week, President Nicolas Maduro now believes that it is right time for talks with Washington. Three US envoys were served with demarche for allegedly meeting groups linked to the opposition parties. Similarly, a number of media personnel, especially belonging to the CNN, were shown the door after accusing them of leading a vicious campaign against the fundamentals of the state and society. It is not clear as to what motivated the chest-thumping socialist to adopt a lenient policy attitude towards the next-door superpower as he called for “putting the truth out on the table”. Just days ago he had led an anti-US campaign as he accused capitalist conservatives and media organisations of plotting to overthrow his government.

The point is that Maduro who inherited the reigns of power from his predecessor Hugo Chavez, the revolutionary, is short of the leadership mantle and for the last many months was seen bogged down with the opposition over frivolous issues. He, nonetheless, had commanded high marks on his foreign policy as he led Caracas from the front. The episode of US National Security Agency whistleblower, Edward Snowden, is a case in point wherein Maduro extended his country’s asylum by crossing swords with Washington. If this offer for talks with the US is for striking a new understanding for the betterment of bilateral and regional relations, then it is most welcome.

President Barack Obama had already extended an olive branch to the Latin American states wherein he had expressed is desire to rewrite a new relationship that is free from the stress and stains of yesteryears Cold War rivalry. How ably Maduro choreographs his initiative will go a long way in normalising their otherwise strained relationship.