Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the United States of pursuing “criminal ambitions to colonise and conquer our America,” following President Donald Trump’s remarks that he is not ruling out potential military action against Venezuela. Trump also suggested he would be open to dialogue with Maduro, even as Washington increases pressure by planning to label a drug cartel allegedly linked to top Venezuelan officials as a terrorist organisation. Maduro rejected U.S. military threats and accused Washington of fabricating a war to destabilise his government, while reaffirming his willingness to engage in diplomatic talks.